ILLEGAL CIGARETTE FACTORY

UNMIK Police have raided an illegal cigarette factory in Gnjilane Region.

According to Investigators, the raid was carried out after information was received from a citizen. A search of the factory resulted in the seizure of more than 20 tons of tobacco and counterfeit cigarette cartons labeled with popular brands such as "Marlboro" and "Regal".

The investigation has confirmed that over 20 tons of cigarettes with a value of over one million Euros were produced during early 2000. It is suspected that production of counterfeit cigarettes continued intermittently until the present but specifics are not yet available.

UNMIK Police and the Kosovo Customs Service are cooperating in the investigation to discover the identities of the individuals behind this organized crime business operation.

This case is an example of how ordinary citizens can make a difference in the fight against organized crime.

Digital photographs of the factory are "attached" to the e-mail version of this press release. The photographs portray part of the confiscated tobacco and examples of the counterfeit cigarette cartons.

Derek CHAPPELL
- Chief of Press and Public Information
Barry FLETCHER
- Deputy Chief of Press and Public Information
Roman ULANOVSKI
- Gnjilane Regional Police Press Officer

Office of Press and Public Information
UNMIK Police HQ, Pristina

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For additional information, contact the UNMIK Police Office of Press and Public Information at Police MHQ in Pristina: Tel. (381)-38-504-604-5071, FAX 5073,
or the Gnjilane Regional Police Press Office at ext. 7682, FAX 7606.