A large-scale illegal waterpipe tobacco production was discovered in a villa outside Kristinehamn, leading to the sentencing of three men. The operation, which evaded taxes worth 1.5 million SEK, involved over 580 kilos of tobacco and equipment valued at 2.5 million SEK. Two brothers received prison sentences, while the villa owner was sentenced to community service.
Secret Tobacco Factory Uncovered in Villa: Three Men Sentenced
Secret Tobacco Factory Uncovered in Villa – Three Men Sentenced
In a villa outside Kristinehamn, a large-scale illegal production of waterpipe tobacco was being conducted. Now, three men, including two brothers, have been sentenced to prison.
During a raid on a villa outside Kristinehamn in May this year, police discovered just over 580 kilos of waterpipe tobacco and equipment for production, with an estimated value of around 2.5 million SEK.
A car in the driveway was filled with finished products, and further discoveries were made during a search in central Kristinehamn.
The evaded tobacco tax is estimated at 1.5 million SEK.
Two of the perpetrators are brothers, aged 42 and 22. They have been sentenced by the Värmland District Court, against their denial, to deportation and imprisonment for one year and four months and one year, respectively, for serious tax offenses and illegal handling of excise goods.
According to the prosecutor, they were responsible for production and sales in the villa, where the operation is believed to have been ongoing for over a year.
The third perpetrator, a 35-year-old man who owns the villa, has been sentenced to community service for aiding and abetting serious tax offenses and illegal handling of excise goods by renting out the property. During the investigation, he denied any knowledge of the tobacco production.
According to the Swedish Economic Crime Authority, illegal sales of waterpipe tobacco are a growing part of organized crime, with tax revenues worth billions lost every year.