Фото: CBSP
Polish police have disrupted the activities of an organised criminal group involved in cigarette smuggling. Among those detained were two Polish citizens and three Belarusian citizens. The suspects are between 37 and 58 years old. The operation was carried out in the second half of February.
During the investigation, 14 million cigarettes were seized. Their value is estimated at 14.5 million zlotys (almost $4 million).
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation of Police, information was received about the arrival in Gdańsk of a container from Singapore containing a large shipment of contraband. Officially, the container was declared as carrying automotive air filters. The arrests took place while the suspects were transferring the goods from the container into a truck and another container.
Charges were brought against the detainees. The court ordered the detention of the three Belarusian citizens. Preventive measures not involving detention were initially applied to the two Polish citizens. The prosecutor’s office disagreed with that decision and appealed. As a result, the court decided to remand the Polish suspects in custody as well, but they had already gone into hiding. They have been placed on the wanted list.