On 31 October, EUBAM held its annual Task Force Tobacco meeting in Chisinau, Moldova, uniting representatives from law enforcement agencies across Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Europol, OLAF, and the private sector. The meeting addressed the evolving dynamics of the illegal tobacco trade, an issue exacerbated by the current geopolitical landscape and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Discussions centred on the illicit cigarette trade, examining its sources, trends, markets, countermeasures, and the confiscation and recovery of assets derived from illegal activities. Participants highlighted an increase in the illicit tobacco market. EU member states have witnessed a surge in the illegal movement of cigarettes from Moldova and Ukraine, and the latter a rise of locally manufactured, counterfeit cigarette consumption.

The demand for illegal cigarettes has increased considerably after Russia’s unjustified war of aggression on Ukraine. As normal supply chains were cut, many clandestine factories were opened here in Europe to produce on the spot. Participants emphasized the importance of tackling illicit cigarette manufacturing, given its widespread impact on public health, social welfare, and economies. They focused on developing more effective strategies to combat this illegal trade and protect public health and revenue streams through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The meeting also highlighted recent achievements in anti-smuggling efforts. Participants reviewed case studies showcasing improved collaboration with EU enforcement bodies to intercept shipments before they reach EU markets. The Task Force assessed technological advancements and intelligence-sharing frameworks to enhance interdiction efforts across partner nations further.

Slawomir Pichor, Head of EUBAM, noted that this annual meeting is essential to bolstering coordinated efforts in tackling illegal tobacco flows, especially as the war in Ukraine continues to alter smuggling routes.