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Nuremberg (dpa) - Nuremberg customs investigators have shut down an illegal production facility for water pipe tobacco after almost a year of investigations.
During searches of five residential and business premises in the Saxony-Anhalt district of Wittenberg, “extensive evidence” such as raw tobacco, tools and smoke-ready tobacco were found in addition to the production facility, as the customs authorities announced.
The perpetrators, between the ages of 29 and 71, used “professional equipment” to produce hookah tobacco - also known as “shisha tobacco” - and label it with well-known manufacturers in order to deceive customers.
During the searches last week, the officers said they had found so much material that trucks had to be rented for removal.
A total of around 45 officials - in addition to investigators from Bavaria and forces from Saxony-Anhalt - were involved in the operation.
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Customs became aware of the suspects in January 2020 when 450 kilograms of untaxed water pipe tobacco were found during a vehicle inspection on Autobahn 9 near Selb (district of Wunsiedel).
The evaluation of the evidence ultimately led the officials to Saxony-Anhalt.
Investigations into suspected tobacco tax evasion are ongoing.