More than 33,000 fake Cuban cigars were seized. The counterfeits were being shipped across Europe.

The Spanish Civil Guard has arrested three individuals and is investigating four others for counterfeiting Cuban cigars. The suspects face charges of smuggling, intellectual property infringement, membership in a criminal organization, and labor rights violations.

A total of 33,840 counterfeit cigars were seized during the operation, the Spanish Civil Guard stated in a press release.

The investigation began after authorities detected several shipments of Cuban cigars—bearing various brand names—sent from a single location to multiple European countries.

As part of the investigation, a search of a residence in Mislata (Valencia province) led to the seizure of 637,646 cigar bands from various brands, along with 27,852 Cuban cigars and equipment used for their production and packaging. Neither the residence nor its occupants held the necessary permits to conduct this activity.

Additionally, four shipments were intercepted, resulting in the seizure of 6,258 cigars; this brings the total number of cigars confiscated by investigators to 33,840.