Police seize almost one million counterfeit cigarettes in Brussels

Police in the Brussels West zone have seized around 920,000 counterfeit cigarettes and arrested two suspects following a vehicle inspection in Anderlecht.

Officers became suspicious after noticing unusual behaviour from two men sitting in a parked car late at night. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of large amounts of cash, prompting a wider investigation.

Subsequent house searches and vehicle checks uncovered a large haul of illegal goods. “During the house searches and the examination of various vehicles, €28,515 and £350 in cash were found, alongside 92 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes, or approximately 920,000 counterfeit cigarettes,” Brussels West police said.

Various items were also seized, including car keys, a garage remote control, telephones and passports. “The suspects were questioned and handed over to the public prosecutor's office,” police added.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case, Brussels West police said. “Both individuals were already known to our services.”

The seizure highlights the scale of the illicit tobacco trade in the capital and in Belgium, which in recent years has become a major player in the illegal cigarette market, with 1 out of 10 cigarettes in Belgium being illegal. Police say such operations are often linked to organised crime and money laundering networks.

Photo: ©Brussels-West police zone