Two batches of cigarettes worth almost Br1 billion seized at the Belarusian-Latvian border

June 15, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. The Vitebsk customs has prevented the illegal export of two batches of cigarettes with a preliminary estimated value of about Br932.5 million at the Belarusian-Latvian border in the Braslav district. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the customs authorities. During special operations at the "Urbany" checkpoint, customs officers stopped a Volvo truck driven by a Belarusian citizen for inspection, which was traveling from Russia to Latvia. In the cargo compartment of the truck's semi-trailer, Russian-made cigarettes were found, concealed from customs clearance. In total, more than 410,000 packs of tobacco products were seized. The second batch of illegal cigarettes was being transported in a Volvo truck belonging to a Polish carrier. The vehicle, driven by a Polish citizen, was traveling from Russia to Latvia without cargo, however, in the floor of the semi-trailer, customs officers discovered a specially equipped hiding place where almost 500 packs of Russian-made cigarettes were hidden. In this case, in addition to the cigarettes, the vehicle, with an estimated value of about Br450 million, was also seized as an item used to commit an administrative customs offense. The Vitebsk customs has initiated administrative proceedings, after which the materials will be transferred to the court for a decision on the confiscation of goods and the vehicle, as well as bringing the guilty parties to justice. -0-