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Portugal's GNR seizes tons of illegal tobacco in nationwide crackdown

A sweeping raid across highways and businesses exposed hidden networks. What did authorities uncover—and why does it matter for public safety?

The image shows a black and white drawing of a factory with smoke coming out of its chimneys,...
The image shows a black and white drawing of a factory with smoke coming out of its chimneys, surrounded by buildings, trees, plants, grass, and a fence. At the bottom of the image, there is text which reads "New York State Penitentiary".

Portugal's GNR seizes tons of illegal tobacco in nationwide crackdown

Portugal's Republican National Guard (GNR) has carried out a major crackdown on illegal trade in taxed goods. Operation Neon targeted businesses and cargo vehicles along key highways, leading to multiple seizures and inspections. The effort involved 70 officers from five regional units across the country.

The operation saw 247 vehicles and 67 commercial establishments checked for compliance. Officers filed 59 administrative offence reports during the inspections. Among the confiscated items were 4,940 grams of chewing tobacco, 2,817 grams of oral tobacco, 380.8 ml of e-cigarette liquid, and 360 cigarettes.

Authorities also seized 8.2 kilograms of areca nut, a stimulant plant often used alongside tobacco products. The GNR's Tax Action Unit (UAF) led the operation, deploying teams from Porto, Coimbra, Lisbon, Évora, and Faro. This latest crackdown follows a series of large-scale tax control operations over the past two years, focusing mainly on Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.

The GNR's UAF has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling illegal trade in taxed goods through underground networks. The operation's results highlight ongoing efforts to disrupt illicit commerce along major transport routes. Further enforcement actions are expected as part of the unit's broader mission.

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