Фото: vid.gov.lv
Lithuanian customs officers intercepted a shipment of Belarusian cigarettes at the Russian-Latvian border. The cigarettes were being imported disguised as carrots, the Latvian State Revenue Service reports.
A truck crossed the Russian-Latvian border at the Grebneva checkpoint on October 10. It was carrying fresh carrots, but customs officers made inspection cuts in the boxes and discovered hidden compartments containing cigarettes.
More than 42,000 packs of Queen Menthol, Queen Superslims and NZ Black cigarettes bearing Belarusian excise stamps were seized. Their value is estimated at approximately €250,000.
A criminal case has been opened on suspicion of large-scale smuggling. One person has been detained and remanded in custody.