The investigation, which has been going on for more than a year, carried out by the Detachment of Tax Action (DAF) of Lisbon, identified a fraudulent scheme, with a transnational dimension, aimed at introducing contraband tobacco into the national territory, without paying the due tax instalment under the Special Tax on Tobacco Consumption (IT) and VAT.

This operation, which includes the execution of five arrest warrants, 20 home search warrants, 21 vehicle search warrants and 23 non-home search warrants, aims at the dismantling of this organised network and the apprehension of supporting evidence of the practice of crimes of criminal association, qualified smuggling, fraudulent introduction into qualified consumption, qualified fraud and the crime of receiving goods subject to a customs crime.

3,300,000 cigarettes have already been seized, which means that if that tobacco had been released for consumption, it would have caused a decrease in government revenues of more than 600 thousand Euros.

Tobacco, which originated from contraband or was fraudulently introduced into national consumption, was of non-Community origin, specifically from Angola, and also from Spain, and was intended for sale through marginal circuits, in food and beverage establishments in the Lisbon area and Tagus Valley.

In addition to defrauding the Portuguese State, tobacco was produced and marketed without complying with the rules stipulated by regulatory authorities and health authorities.

The Operation is being carried out by 113 UAF military personnel, with the support of the Public Security Police (PSP).