The Greek FBI has achieved a significant victory in the battle against cigarette smuggling with the dismantlement of a complex criminal organization that established a full illegal production and trafficking network. This organization operated a vertical unit manufacturing tobacco products, and its members took extensive precautions to evade law enforcement. Investigators from the Hellenic Police discovered that they employed fake and forged documents, as well as shell companies, to mask their activities.

In total, around 25 individuals were arrested across Attica and Boeotia, with charges including directing and participating in a criminal organization, smuggling, forgery, and illegal possession of firearms. The scale and organization of the operation indicated a high level of planning and execution, likely to undermine local and national regulations pertaining to tobacco production and distribution. The arrests and subsequent investigation reflect a proactive approach by Greek authorities in addressing organized crime linked to illegal tobacco trade.

Members of this organization communicated using a specialized code to evade detection by police forces, referring to operational vehicles as "Chinese" and "orange," and using the term "carrot" to indicate law enforcement. This coded language not only facilitated their illicit activities but also highlights the sophistication of the network's operational strategies. The successful crackdown opens the door for further investigations into the broader implications of organized crime and its impact on the legal tobacco market in Greece and beyond.