Silesian police have arrested 13 people for running an illegal cigarette factory that produced approximately 8.5 million cigarettes.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBS) confiscated the cigarettes along with 22 tonnes of shredded tobacco.

“On Monday, 60 functionaries forced entrance into a building in Kuznica Piaskowa (in Silesia). They found workers producing cigarettes,” stated a border guard spokeswoman, Agnieszka Golias.

Amongst the thirteen arrested are four Ukrainian citizens. Joining local police and the CBS in the sting action were Border Guards and Customs Officials.

Police estimate that this was Poland’s largest illegal cigarette factory to-date. “If the entire amount of confiscated goods had made it onto the market, the State Treasury would have lost 13 million zloty [3 million euro],” claims Karol Jakubowski from the central police station. (mnj)