- Police in Spain have demolished three illicit tobacco factories.
- Ukrainian refugees were forced to work in deplorable conditions.
- Authorities seized tobacco products worth €37.5 million.
Spain: Police in Spain have demolished three illicit tobacco factories where Ukrainian refugees were forced to work in deplorable conditions.
The operations were discovered in three different regions of Spain, and 27 persons were apprehended.
The gang is accused of trafficking massive amounts of tobacco, which was then transformed into counterfeit cigarettes.
The plants could produce more than 500,000 cigarette packs each day, which were distributed across country and overseas.
Spain busts a ring that exploits Ukrainians by operating illegal tobacco factories. The Ukrainians, who had fled Russia’s invasion of their country, were “crammed” into prefabricated shelters within the factories, according to police.
They worked long hours and did not leave to avoid being discovered, as some had entered the country illegally.
Meanwhile, the organization’s leaders lived a “life of luxury,” allegedly laundering money for their tobacco smuggling operation.
During the raid, authorities seized tobacco products worth €37.5 million ($41 million; £33 million), luxury vehicles, jewelry, and large amounts of cash. More than 20 homes, industrial buildings, and retail establishments were searched.
According to police, the group was also expanding its production by establishing enormous marijuana plantations.
Europol, the European police organization, assisted in the investigation.
According to the United Nations, nearly eight million Ukrainian refugees have fled Russia’s February 2022 invasion across Europe. In Spain, over 160,000 have been registered.
In November, European Parliament lawmakers reported that labor exploitation of Ukrainians was on the rise, claiming that the urgency of their situation and language barriers sometimes forced refugees to accept informal and low-paying work.
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