Irish authorities seized 9 million smuggled cigarettes at Rosslare Europort in Co. Wexford this week following a routine Revenue search. The haul, from a truck and trailer arriving on a ferry from Dunkerque, France, consisted of Richmond King Size cigarettes with an estimated value of over €8 million, representing a potential loss of more than €6.4 million to the Irish exchequer. A man in his 40s was questioned in connection with the seizure, and investigations are ongoing.
Tag: cigarette smuggling
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Indonesian Cigarette Importers Under Investigation for Bribery
Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating alleged manipulation of cigarette excise payments at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), saying it has secured preliminary evidence on companies suspected of involvement in illegal cigarette imports. On Feb. 27, the KPK detained and named Budiman Bayu Prasojo, head of the Intelligence Section for Excise Enforcement and Investigation at the DJBC, as a suspect in a corruption probe linked to import clearance and excise arrangements.
KPK deputy for enforcement and execution Asep Guntur Rahayu said investigators suspect certain cigarette importers provided bribes or gratuities to customs officials in connection with excise regulation. The agency previously seized Rp 5.19 billion ($300,000) in cash from a safe house believed to be linked to the suspects, money thought to be proceeds of alleged bribery. Investigators are tracing the companies and individuals involved and said further details will be disclosed once the probe is complete.
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Singapore Seizes 14,550 Cartons of Cigarettes
Singapore Customs seized 14,550 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed inside air cooler units during two enforcement operations in February, uncovering more than S$1.6 million ($1.3 million) in evaded duty and Goods and Services Tax. A 40-year-old Chinese national was arrested in connection with the case.
Officers first intercepted the man on Feb. 7 after observing him leaving an industrial building, who led them to a unit where 7,306 cartons were found hidden in three air coolers. Follow-up investigations resulted in a second raid on Feb. 11 at an industrial building, where an additional 7,244 cartons were discovered concealed similarly. The man said an unknown individual engaged him to retrieve the cigarettes from the air coolers and prepare them for local distribution.