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Spanish police bust gang exploiting Ukrainian refugees in illegal tobacco factories
The factories produced 500,000 cigarette packs daily, which were sold across Spain and abroad
A gang in Spain that exploited Ukrainian refugees to work in illegal tobacco factories in three regions across the country has been shut down by police, who have made 27 arrests.
The factories in Sevilla, the Valencia Region and La Rioja were making more than 500,000 cigarette packs daily, which were sold across Spain and abroad.
However, the workers, who had fled Russia's invasion of their country, were living "crammed" into prefabricated shelters within the factories and working long hours.
According to a police statement, the Ukrainians didn't leave the premises to avoid detection as some had entered Spain illegally.
In contrast, the operation bosses enjoyed a lavish "life of luxury", allegedly laundering money for their tobacco smuggling operation.
During a series of raids in which more than 20 homes, industrial buildings and shops were searched, Spanish police seized tobacco products worth 37.5 million euros, luxury vehicles, jewellery and large quantities of cash.
In addition to the illegal tobacco operation, police said the gang was also diversifying production by developing large marijuana plantations.
The investigation was carried out with assistance from the European policing agency, Europol.
According to the United Nations, there are almost 8 million recorded Ukrainian refugees across Europe, who fled their war torn country following Russia’s invasion in February 2022. More than 160,000 have been registered in Spain.
Lawmakers at the European Parliament warned last November that many refugees are being forced to take underpaid and informal labour due to language barriers and that exploitation of vulnerable Ukrainians is on the rise.
Image: Europol/Guardia Civil
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