Latvian State Revenue Service’s Tax and Customs Police have commenced a criminal procedure over large-scale contraband of tobacco products.
Latvian authorities managed to prevent damages worth EUR 400,000 to the state by uncovering this crime, as reported by the service.
In August, VID Tax and Customs Police performed investigative measures after receiving a tip regarding possible criminal activity involving tobacco products.
Authorities found a shipment of arbolite blocks containing 3,541,800 NZ Gold brand cigarettes bearing tax labels of the Republic of Belarus.
During the search Latvian authorities confiscated 1.8 g of marijuana, syringes and packets containing remains of narcotic substances, EUR 1,098 in cash, devices that were probably of strategic nature, ID cards, mobile phones, portable computers, stamps and other items of note.
VID Tax and Customs Police have initiated a criminal process in accordance with Part 3 of Section 190 and Part 1 of Section 253 of the Criminal Law.
Three persons were detained. One was declared a suspect and applied with security measures not associated with deprivation of freedom. The other two are persons involved in a criminal procedure.
Sale of the aforementioned contraband cigarettes in Latvia would have caused damages to the state budget worth at least EUR 400,000. (BNN/Business World Magazine)