Operation “Dnipro” began in June 2019. Information on the transfer of skilled workers from Ukraine to Poland was provided by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Operation “Dnipro” began in June 2019. Information on the transfer of skilled workers from Ukraine to Poland was provided by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

These workers were suspected of involvement in the illegal production of cigarettes in Poland. The scheme was that tobacco products were later transported to Western Europe, where they were sold on the black market, and criminal groups made considerable profits.

On July 28, 2020, Polish border guards detained seven people on suspicion of shadowy tobacco production - six Polish citizens and one Armenian citizen. 60,000 euros were also confiscated from the detainees.

The “workers” are accused of participating in an organized criminal group engaged in the illegal production and trade of tobacco products, and one of them - the organization of this group. As for 5 detainees, decisions on temporary detention were made, and two more were released on bail of 5,000 zlotys and 50,000 zlotys, respectively.

The operation was supported by Europol, in particular to provide Polish and Ukrainian border guards with analytical data.

It is worth noting that in early 2020, Polish border guards detained more than 20 people involved in the same organization and seized cigarettes worth about 2 million euros.