A 45-year-old Belarusian citizen who was transporting counterfeit cigarette filter wrappers has been detained in Poland. A criminal case has been opened.
Polish customs officers stopped a truck in Budzisko near the Polish-Lithuanian border. The driver could not clearly answer questions about what cargo he was transporting in the trailer, the Tax and Customs Chamber in Białystok reported.
The vehicle was sent for scanning and the cargo was inspected. Customs officers found 657 rolls of cigarette filter wrappers bearing the trademarks of a well-known tobacco brand in the trailer. The total weight of the cargo exceeded 3.5 tonnes. Its value is estimated at 131,000 zlotys ($36,300).
Customs officers contacted a representative of the company that owns the trademark rights, who confirmed that the seized goods were counterfeit and filed a complaint seeking criminal prosecution of those responsible.
An investigation has been launched. The truck driver was questioned. Marking goods with counterfeit trademarks carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.
