In the Italian province of Ancona, the Financial Guard has uncovered an unprecedented large-scale clandestine cigarette production complex. This was reported by L'Unione Sarda on September 26.
According to the data, the large underground bunker was skillfully concealed, occupying an area of more than 1.6 thousand square meters. Access to the secret factory was carried out through a special hydraulic system, which completely concealed the production process from outside observation.
Inside, three production lines equipped with modern equipment operate, with an annual production capacity of nearly 2.7 billion cigarettes. This means approximately 7.2 million units of products per day.
During the inspection, more than 150 tons of counterfeit tobacco, more than 170 tons of industrial materials, hundreds of thousands of filters, millions of cardboard boxes, and various technical equipment were found in the warehouse. The total cost of the plant is estimated at 1.75 million euros, and the production capacity has reached the level of producing 5 thousand cigarettes per minute.
Another thing that surprised the investigators was that the bunker had 18 beds for workers, a bathroom, shower rooms, a kitchen, and even a repair shop. This ensured their continuous shift work, allowing them to continue secret production without interruption.
Additionally, warehouses used for storing counterfeit products were discovered nearby, from where two cars and four and a half trailers were confiscated. Counterfeit cigarettes were collected among them, with a total value of 620 thousand euros, and products valued at almost 47.4 million euros on the market.
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