Spanish police have broken up a gang that operated three illegal tobacco factories employing Ukrainians who fled to escape Russia's invasion. The operation is believed to have smuggled "large quantities" of tobacco transformed into counterfeit cigarettes that were sold across Spain and neighboring countries, Spanish police said in a statement on January 22. Police said the ring employed Ukrainians who moved to Spain illegally or arrived as war refugees. They lived "crammed into prefabricated modules” and worked long hours, while the gang leaders "laundered large amounts of money" and lived "a life of luxury" in the resort of Marbella, the statement said.
Spanish Authorities Smash Ring Exploiting Ukrainians Who Fled War
The Spanish policemen said they had recovered "large quantities" of tobacco in the operation. (file photo)