On 9 July, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) announced that two international organizations based in Spain had been dismantled over the manufacture, distribution and trafficking of counterfeit tobacco. Authorities seized more than 20 million cigarettes, nearly 40 tonnes of tobacco, manufacturing equipment, cash, firearms and 18 vehicles. Fifty people were arrested following searches across six Spanish provinces.
The operation deserves recognition. Having served as OLAF’s Director-General from 2011 to 2017, I know the importance of timely intelligence, close co-operation between national authorities and effective cross-border coordination. Cases of this magnitude require months, even years of investigative work and the ability to follow criminal activity across several jurisdictions.
