Vitebsk customs officers seized tobacco contraband worth 5 billion rubles

Over the past week, Vitebsk customs officers have intercepted the illegal export of cigarettes to the European Union three times. The total value of the contraband amounted to approximately 5 billion rubles, as reported by the department's press service.

"Last week was rich in cigarette 'catches'. Unscrupulous carriers not only follow patterns but often experiment with methods of smuggling. This is not surprising, as the cost of Belarusian cigarettes increases several times within the European Union," the customs press service noted.

For instance, 3.5 thousand packs of cigarettes worth 27 million rubles were discovered in a coal train. The wagons were inspected at the "Polotsk" customs clearance point upon departure from Belarus. Along with the tobacco products, a GPS device with its batteries was found. The goods have been seized. An additional inspection is underway.

The next incident occurred at the "Urbany" customs clearance point. Customs officers found hidden compartments in the ceiling and floor of a Renault refrigerated semi-trailer, containing 55.3 thousand packs of cigarettes worth 447 million rubles. The products and the semi-trailer, valued at 250 million rubles, have been confiscated, and the case materials have been transferred to the court.

A large batch of cigarettes was detected at the "Grigorovshchina" vehicle checkpoint. Customs officers were aided by the use of a technical innovation – an inspection and screening complex. The Renault was en route to Latvia carrying furniture. After scanning the cargo, boxes containing cigarettes were discovered – 599.5 thousand packs worth 4.5 billion rubles. The goods have been seized, and administrative proceedings have been initiated.