Police refer 16 in cigarette network case costing Latvia 84.7 million euros

Latvian police have referred 16 people for prosecution over large-scale illegal cigarette production and smuggling, estimating that the operation caused the state losses of more than 84.7 million euros, LSM reported.

Police said the case is one of the largest organised-crime investigations in recent years. The group operated in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe and had been active since at least August 2013, according to investigators.

Its members allegedly smuggled, produced, stored, transported and sold cigarettes on a large scale, and laundered money. Police worked with other institutions, including Europol, Eurojust and the prosecutor’s office, during an investigation that began more than two years ago. Several criminal proceedings were opened and several people were detained.

Authorities placed 57 vehicles worth more than 1.7 million euros, 108 properties worth 5.7 million euros and shares in 17 companies valued at about 600,000 euros under arrest. Jewellery, cash and funds in bank accounts were also frozen.

Police said the group used concealment tactics, including hiding its members’ links to properties, vehicles and other resources, using false number plates and deploying equipment intended to disrupt police operations.