Baltic Customs officers halted an attempt to smuggle 1.3 million packs of Belarus-made cigarettes concealed inside furniture; the consignment is valued at over RUB 207 million on the domestic market. Source: FCS Russia.
The container of sofas bound for Europe was checked at the Big Port St. Petersburg seaport. X-ray screening revealed irregularities and the shipment was sent for a full examination.
Inside structural cavities of the sofas, officers found cigarette blocks wrapped in polyethylene film.
Baltic Customs opened a criminal case under Article 226.1(1) of the Russian Criminal Code on smuggling; the offence carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment.
The investigation is ongoing.
