Press Release: “Operation Diabolo”, an international customs operation led by OLAF, seized 135 million counterfeit branded cigarettes and 557,000 other counterfeit products

"Operation Diabolo", a joint international customs operation of the 27 EU Member States, with the participation of Interpol, Europol and the World Customs Organization, was organised in February 2007 by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on behalf of the European Commission. Nearly 135 million counterfeit branded cigarettes and 557,000 other counterfeit products like textiles, footwear, toys, furniture, suitcases and watches were seized. In cigarettes alone, the operation helped avoid potential losses of approximately €220 million in customs duties and taxes for the European Community and Member States' budgets. The final results of the operation were presented on 19 April in Cologne in cooperation with the German Customs Investigations Office (Zollkriminalamt). Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas will present the results of the operation at a press conference in Brussels on Monday 23 April.