Historic Find: Italy’s Largest Illegal Cigarette Factory
Italy’s Guardia di Finanza announced a historic discovery in Cassino, at the foot of Montecassino. The underground production facility spanned about 1,600 square meters and could churn out more than seven million cigarettes per day. Authorities also seized more than 150 tons of cigarettes, a figure that underscores the scale of the operation and the potential impact on public finances.
According to the agency, the illicit operation was valued at roughly €1.7 million, with estimated annual revenue from illegal sales around €900 million. Investigators say the scheme likely deprived the Italian state of about €600 million in taxes. One suspect has been arrested so far, with several others under investigation as officials piece together the network behind the plant.
Hidden Entrance Beneath a Quiet Warehouse
Access to the vast complex was concealed in a seemingly empty storage hall in Cassino. Investigators found a “professionally concealed” switchboard inside a plain cardboard box. Activating the mechanism used hydraulic levers to raise an aluminum cabin containing a small office to the surface, revealing the bunker-like production facility beneath once the access hatch opened.
Authorities described the facility as a real industrial plant built to modern standards, implying significant investment and planning to sustain clandestine production without arousing suspicion.
Three Production Lines and a Self-Contained Operation
Inside, the factory reportedly operated on three production lines where tobacco was processed into cigarettes and then packaged. A ventilation system was installed to minimize the emission of fumes, a clear sign of efforts to keep the operation under the radar. The site also included a maintenance workshop for the machinery, 18 bare sleeping quarters, showers, and a dining hall for workers, illustrating a self-contained operation designed to run around the clock.
Economic and Legal Aftermath
Authorities say the illicit operation would have produced hundreds of millions in tax losses for the Italian state. The investigation is ongoing, with at least one arrest and multiple other suspects under scrutiny. The Cassino find stands as the largest illegal cigarette factory discovered in the country’s modern history, highlighting the breadth and audacity of contraband networks and the persistent challenge of policing a shadow economy that hides beneath legitimate industry.
What This Means for Italy
Analysts note that the case underscores the need for robust enforcement against tax evasion and illicit trade, as well as vigilant monitoring of abandoned or quiet spaces that could be repurposed for large-scale manufacturing. The Cassino discovery serves as a stark reminder of how criminal networks can exploit gaps in oversight and demand renewed focus on prevention, detection, and international cooperation to disrupt smuggling and illicit production.
