Homemade cigarette machine seized - Homemade cigarette machine producing 500 per hour seized in Germany

Customs officials in Germany have uncovered a homemade cigarette-making machine in an apartment in the Upper Palatinate. The device, seized in September 2025, could produce up to 500 cigarettes per hour. Authorities suspect the operator used it for illegal commercial purposes.

The discovery came during an investigation into illicit tobacco production. A 40-year-old man is accused of running the operation, packaging the cigarettes under a brand name he invented. Details of the case were only recently released, as customs delayed disclosure for tactical reasons.

Over the past five years, Germany has seen a 15–20% rise in DIY cigarette machines. Higher tobacco taxes and online sales have driven this trend, though growth remains lower than in countries like Poland (40%) or the Netherlands (25%). Stricter enforcement in France and Italy has kept increases below 10%, according to EU studies and customs reports.

The seized machine highlights the challenges of policing homemade tobacco production. German authorities continue to monitor the trend as tax hikes push more people toward DIY alternatives. The suspect now faces potential charges for illegal manufacturing and distribution.