Illegal cigarette ring busted

Nine people were arrested when authorities busted an illegal cigarette operation in Aalsmeer last week. During the raid of the warehouse by officers from tax inspectorate FIOD, they found 3,600 kilograms of tobacco, wrapping material and 2.3 million cigarettes, apparently carrying a fake brand name. The operation used a generator to run its equipment. The cigarettes and tobacco were destroyed. The FIOD says it appears like the nine Bulgarians they arrested actually lived in the warehouse, as evidenced by the sleeping quarters inspectors encountered. It is the fourth time FIOD busts an illegal cigarette operation; last year they found a similar operation in Limburg. The department says that these types of operations hurt the economy because they disrupt the regularized market and competition mechanisms. In addition, had the 2.3 million cigarettes made it onto the street, Government would have been duped for some €4.8 million in income taxes.