JCO VAPE: OLAF and international customs authorities crack down on illegal trade in e-cigarettes
OLAF
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), together with customs authorities from 30 countries, has successfully carried out a large-scale operation targeting the illicit trade in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The Joint Customs Operation, (JCO) VAPE resulted in the seizure of over 94 million pieces and over 2,500 kg/l of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, devices, and related goods. This operation (which ran from 14 November to 15 December 2025) marks the first EU and international Joint Customs Operation specifically focused on this rapidly growing commodity. Its results clearly demonstrate both the effectiveness and the necessity of coordinated cross-border action to tackle an increasingly complex and evolving form of fraud.
