29/10/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Monday, 28 October, Eurojust announced that an international crime group involved in the illicit tobacco trade has been dismantled by authorities from seven countries with the active support of Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). During a coordinated action day in Eurojust, 18 people of different nationalities who are suspected of money laundering and the illegal trade and storage of approximately 670,000 kilos of tobacco were arrested. According to Eurojust, the widespread traffic has reportedly resulted in a loss of customs and excise duties for the Dutch tax authorities of around €70 million. A total of 29 searches took place in Italy, Poland, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The Romanian and Cypriot authorities also actively contributed to the operation. (MF)