Dutch police intercepted 1.2 million counterfeit cigarettes hidden in a van on the A7 highway near Bad Nieuweschans, close to the German border. The discovery was made during a routine check by a cross-border police team. One individual has been arrested in connection with the seizure, according to RTV Noord. The cigarettes have been handed over to customs authorities for further investigation as part of increased efforts to combat cigarette smuggling. This year alone, authorities have confiscated 106 million illegal cigarettes, following a total of 217 million seized last year – a significant increase. High cigarette prices in the Netherlands fuel the demand for illegal products, making cigarette smuggling a lucrative venture for criminals.