Belgian customs officials made headlines on February 20, 2025, when they raided what is now known as the largest illegal cigarette factory ever discovered in Belgium. This major crackdown took place on Gerard Mercatorstraat in Lommel, Limburg, where customs officers seized no fewer than 30 million illicit cigarettes.
The total value of the cigarettes is staggering, amounting to over €14.4 million in evaded taxes. The operation revealed not only the impressive scale of cigarette production but also the existence of four fully operational production and packaging lines running continuously within the facility.
According to Francis Adyns from the Federal Finance Department, the factory was operational around the clock, contributing to the staggering count of illegal cigarettes produced. "Several tonnes of tobacco were found at the warehouse, as well as quantities of fake cigarettes of various brands, including Marlboro, Rothmans and Winston, being stored there," he stated.
The raid was part of broader efforts by Belgian authorities to tackle organized crime and tax evasion. Customs officers discovered approximately 51 workers at the site, many of whom were identified as being from Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova. The prosecutor’s office corroborated the operation's significance, framing it as indicative of a larger criminal organization at play.
"We are talking about a criminal organisation here, and this makes it the largest illegal cigarette factory ever dismantled in Belgium, considering the high production capacity and number of workers we found there," Adyns noted, stressing the size and efficiency of the operation uncovered.
The choice of Lommel as the location for this illicit factory appears to be strategic, owing to its favorable transport links. "We suspect... the criminals chose Lommel because of the good transport links," Adyns explained. The area’s extensive road network facilitated easy access to markets in both France and the UK, illustrating how organized crime adapts to geographical advantages.
This seizure marks the first major illegal factory operation dismantled by authorities in 2025, following the record dismantling of 12 illegal cigarette production sites throughout 2024. Such trends indicate a persistent issue of illegal cigarette production within Belgium, and authorities remain vigilant as they confront this growing challenge.
All goods found at the facility were confiscated by customs officers, and the 51 individuals apprehended at the site will undergo questioning as the investigation continues. This operation not only reveals the extensive networks involved in cigarette smuggling but also the growing resolve of Belgian customs to clamp down on illegal activities.
With the government’s renewed focus on tackling organized crime and evading tax-related revenues, this operation may serve as a blueprint for future endeavors aimed at dismantling such illegal enterprises across the country. The fight against smuggling and illegal production is far from over, but significant moves like this one reflect efforts to turn the tide.