Processes - Illegal Cigarette Factory: Accused Threaten Prison
Nearly nine months after a raid on an illegal cigarette factory in Brilon, Sauerland, the trial against the alleged main suspects began in Bochum. Three men, who are accused of being involved in the production and sale of up to 2.4 million falsified and untaxed cigarettes per day between June 2023 and November 2023, are on trial. The tax loss is estimated to be over 13.6 million Euros.
At the trial opening at the Bochum Regional Court, the three German men, aged between 38 and 49, remained silent on the charges. However, their lawyers announced pleas. The Prosecutor's Office aims for sentences between three and six years in prison, according to their own statements.
Customs and the Prosecutor's Office raided the illegal cigarette factory on November 6 of the previous year. Over 26 million Cigarettes and tonnes of tobacco fine cut were seized.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, the cigarettes were manufactured for the black market. A large part was allegedly smuggled to France. The first indication of an illegal cigarette production came from Polish authorities, leading to extensive investigations.
Twelve other suspects have already been sentenced to probation in earlier trials, according to the Prosecutor's Office. The Bochum Regional Court has scheduled further hearing days until mid-September for this trial.
- The illegal cigarette factory in Brilon, located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, specifically in the Sauerland, was the site of a raid conducted by the Customs and the Public Prosecutor's Office last November.
- Despite remaining silent during the trial opening, the three main suspects, all men from Germany aged between 38 and 49, have their lawyers preparing pleas in response to the charges of tax evasion related to the production and sale of untaxed cigarettes.
- The Prosecutor's Office in North Rhine-Westphalia is seeking prison sentences ranging from three to six years for the three men, citing their involvement in producing and selling up to 2.4 million falsified cigarettes daily between June 2023 and November 2023.
- The seizure during the raid on November 6 included over 26 million cigarettes and tonnes of tobacco fine cut, which the Public Prosecutor's Office alleged were intended for the black market, with a significant portion destined for smuggling into France.
- The alleged criminality surrounding the production and sale of untaxed cigarettes resulted in a tax loss of over 13.6 million Euros, according to the Public Prosecutor's Office, which claimed that their investigation leading up to the raid began with a tip from Polish authorities.
- Previous trials related to this case saw twelve other suspects receiving probation sentences from the Bochum Regional Court, and further hearing days have been scheduled until mid-September for this ongoing trial.
