Major Police Operation Targets Illegal Tobacco Trade in Berlin

In a significant crackdown on illegal tobacco operations, Berlin authorities have initiated a large-scale investigation into a criminal enterprise accused of producing and distributing unregulated shisha tobacco. This operation, led by the Joint Investigation Group for Cigarettes (GEZig), involved the execution of 24 search warrants across the city, with a focus on organized tax evasion and trafficking activities.

As part of the operation, more than six tons of illegal tobacco were seized, alongside various electronic vaping devices. Three suspects were arrested during the raids, which took place early Wednesday morning.

The investigation centers on a six-member gang suspected of engaging in severe tax fraud and illicit trafficking through the production and distribution of untaxed shisha tobacco. A spokesperson for the Berlin-Brandenburg Customs Investigation Office reported that the estimated tax loss attributed to these activities in Berlin alone amounts to approximately one million euros.

Authorities have shared footage from the operation on social media, showcasing law enforcement agents equipped with firearms and breaching tools as they executed the search warrants. Initial findings reveal multiple bags filled with suspected tobacco products.

In addition to the Berlin raids, this operation was part of a coordinated international effort targeting similar illegal activities. Law enforcement agencies in Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic also conducted searches as part of this larger initiative, which aims to dismantle trafficking networks and disrupt supply chains.

Significant action was also taken in Germany, with searches conducted in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Investigators have been monitoring the suspects for about a year, gathering evidence to support their case.

Among the locations targeted in Berlin was a suspected production facility located on Silbersteinstraße in Neukölln, identified as a key site for shisha tobacco manufacturing. The operation reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to combat illegal tobacco trade, which poses a substantial threat to public health and government revenues.

Although the investigation draws attention to serious organized crime, officials have clarified that there is no established connection to known criminal clans. The successful execution of this operation highlights the commitment of law enforcement to tackle illegal tobacco trade and safeguard compliance with tax regulations.