AUTHORITIES have shut down an illegal Alicante province cigarette factory and seized materials worth over €3 million.

Two men aged 22 and 51 have been arrested by the Guardia Civil. They’ve been charged with crimes against public health, smuggling, and membership of a criminal gang.

The duo was remanded into custody by an Alcoy court, and the Guardia investigation is still active. The clandestine cigarette production took place inside a warehouse on the Canaleta industrial estate in Muro de Alcoy.

The Guardia Civil had been monitoring suspicious activities in the area for months and last November, took a specific interest in a building.