Customs Officials Seize 7,500 Smuggled Cigarettes on A17

Wed 5th Mar, 2025

Dresden - On March 3, 2025, customs officials conducted a routine inspection of a Bulgarian van at the 'Am Heidenholz' rest area along the A17 motorway. The 29-year-old driver claimed he was only transporting cigarettes and had no other prohibited items on board. However, during the examination, officials discovered 1,000 cigarettes hidden beneath the passenger seat.

Upon further investigation, customs agents noticed an extra spare tire in the cargo area that did not match the vehicle. This prompted them to use a mobile X-ray vehicle to scan the tire. The analysis revealed atypical structures within. When the tire was removed from the rim, an astonishing 6,500 additional cigarettes bearing Bulgarian tax stamps were uncovered. In total, authorities seized 7,500 cigarettes from the vehicle.

This operation has led to the initiation of a tax offense procedure against the driver, with the estimated evasion of taxes amounting to nearly EUR2,000. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by customs in combating smuggling activities and underscores the effectiveness of their inspection techniques.


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