Customs authorities expose hidden cigarette smuggling spot / 15,000 untaxed cigarettes uncovered during car check

In a recent incident, customs officers in Schweinfurt, Germany, uncovered a significant find while conducting a routine check on the A3 motorway in the district of Kitzingen.

According to reports from the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt, an east European truck was stopped, and a thorough inspection revealed 75 packs of untaxed cigarettes. The cigarettes were cleverly hidden in a tabletop wrapped in plastic foil and a wooden construction on the side wall of the truck.

The driver and vehicle occupants had initially declared a small amount of tobacco products to the customs, but a more detailed examination revealed the hidden stash. The discovery resulted in a tax loss of approximately 2,900 euros.

Following the incident, a criminal investigation was initiated against the east European driver of the truck. The driver was able to continue their journey after posting a security bond.

The Control Unit for Traffic Routes of the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt is responsible for the customs supervision of traffic routes in Lower Franconia and large parts of Upper Franconia. This unit regularly uncovers violations involving medicines, narcotics, doping agents, tobacco products, and spirits.

For general information about the work of customs and duty-free allowances, visitors are encouraged to visit www.zoll.de. For inquiries, the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt Press Office can be contacted at Anna-Lena Gernert, telephone: 09721/ 6464-1030, email: [email protected].

The full document related to this incident can be found at 20250903_pm_kev_cigarette_seizure.pdf. It is important to note that no publicly available information identifies the person arrested by customs authorities in Schweinfurt in 2021 for suspicion of transporting 15,000 unstamped cigarette packs during a control on the A3.

The customs unit in Schweinfurt also plays a crucial role in preventing the entry of prohibited goods, ranging from large shipments to prohibited quantities in small shipments. The work of customs officers is essential in maintaining the integrity and safety of the German market.