Фото: strazgraniczna.pl
Seven people have been detained in Poland on suspicion of smuggling Belarusian cigarettes through Lithuania into Poland in 2020–2021. Those detained include six Polish citizens and one Armenian citizen.
The arrests took place in May this year. The operation was carried out by Poland’s Border Guard and the Central Bureau of Investigation of the Police in Warsaw.
During searches, investigators found cigarettes and electronic cigarettes without Polish excise stamps, an Audi Q7 vehicle, and automotive parts reported stolen in Poland and other European Union countries. Ammunition for firearms was also discovered and seized, the Polish Border Guard reported.
According to investigators, the suspects were involved in the smuggling of 6.5 million packs of cigarettes with a black-market value exceeding 94 million zlotys (about $25.7 million). The loss to the Polish state budget from unpaid customs duties, excise tax and VAT is estimated at more than 190 million zlotys (about $51.9 million).
During the investigation, authorities seized more than 32,000 zlotys (about $8,700) and €2,450 in cash, as well as vehicles worth approximately 773,000 zlotys (about $211,000).
The detainees have been charged with participating in and leading an organised criminal group. Leading such a group carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, while participation is punishable by up to eight years.