A mobile team of Smolensk customs officers intercepted a truck near Kruglovka carrying 700,000 packs of unstamped Belarus-made cigarettes with an estimated value exceeding RUB 100 million. Source: FCS Russia.
Shipping papers stated that more than 19 tonnes of Belarus beer were being moved from Belarus to Russia. Inspectors found a GLONASS electronic navigation seal on the cargo compartment, but its data had not been entered into the goods-tracking system.
A customs inspection of the truck revealed contraband cigarettes instead of the beer declared in the documents.
A criminal case was opened under Article 226.1(2)(b) of the Russian Criminal Code (smuggling strategically important goods by an organised group). The penalty may include up to ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RUB 1 million.
