Romanian police uncover illegal cigarette factory in Sibiu County, Transylvania

According to DIICOT on Monday, the criminal gang, which specializes in cigarette production, is made up of members between the ages of 24 and 55. Seven of them are Ukrainian citizens and two are dual citizens, one of them Hungarian and Ukrainian, and the other holds Moldovan and Romanian citizenship. The DIICOT regional office in Iasi detained them on August 23 and initiated criminal proceedings against them.

During the search, the Romanian police found an illegal cigarette factory equipped with production lines and equipment suitable for cigarette packaging, where production was taking place. Authorities confiscated 61 tons of tobacco worth 153 million lei (12 billion forints) and more than 23 million cigarettes worth 35 million lei (2.75 billion forints). The product bore the name of a well-known cigarette brand.

The large quantity of tobacco products was found during house searches in the villages of Sellemberk, Bradu, Vetel and Seica Mare, as well as in the cities of Sibiu and Brasov. In addition, a large quantity of cigarette filters, cigarette rolling paper and cardboard used for packaging, and equipment used in cigarette production were seized. Cash in lei, euros and forints was also found in the possession of the criminal gang.

The Iasi County Court ordered 60 days of official supervision against the members of the criminal gang. DIICOT appealed the decision.