Italian customs police have uncovered the country’s largest illegal cigarette factory, hidden inside a vast underground bunker near Cassino, southeast of Rome.
According to a statement released Saturday, the secret facility — spanning 1,600 square meters — churned out an estimated seven million counterfeit cigarettes daily, equivalent to 2.7 billion annually.
Access to the bunker was ingeniously concealed: a hydraulic system, operated by switches disguised in a cardboard box inside an almost empty warehouse, opened the way underground.
Investigators described the site as a fully-fledged industrial complex, equipped with advanced tobacco-processing machinery, counterfeit packaging lines, and even residential amenities including 18 beds, bathrooms, showers, a dining hall, and a repair workshop.
Authorities estimate the operation generated over €900 million ($1.05 billion) annually, evading around €600 million in taxes.
Several suspects have been linked to the enterprise, with one already in custody as investigations continue.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The National Concord Blog Newsletter for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now below!
