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Customs officers detained more than 6 million cigarettes while checking a refrigerated truck
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Customs officers detained more than 6 million cigarettes while checking a refrigerated truck
Customs officers seized 306,000 boxes (6 120 000 pieces) of smuggled cigarettes in the area of the Danube Bridge near Vidin.
On 01.03.2026 in the afternoon, customs officers from Ruse Customs Territorial Directorate, within the framework of roadside stop control, diverted for inspection a vehicle selected after a centralised risk analysis. The truck, travelling from Greece to Poland, loaded with citrus fruits and vegetables, was taken for a thorough customs check at the site of the Vidin Customs Office.
During the control operations, after unloading 6 pallets, it was found that behind them were loaded pallets with boxes wrapped in white foil. Several of the boxes were cut, and cigarettes from two popular brands without Bulgarian excise stamps were found in them.
A full unloading took place, during which it was found that the truck was carrying 612 boxes with three well-known brands of cigarettes, all without a Bulgarian excise tax stamp. The total quantity of cigarettes seized was 306 000 boxes (6 120 000 pieces) worth EUR 1 152 845, the amount of excise duty avoided and not paid being EUR 691 560.
Pre-trial proceedings were initiated on the record of the Ruse Customs Territorial Directorate. Under the authority of the District Prosecutor’s Office - Vidin, investigations are being carried out in connection with the pre-trial proceedings initiated in respect of an offence under Article 234, paragraph 3, item 3, in conjunction with paragraph 1, item 2 of the Criminal Code – the unlawful holding of excise goods without tax stamps in large quantities. By order of the investigating authority, the driver of the vehicle, I.B., a citizen of Ukraine, was charged.
By order of a prosecutor of the District Prosecutor’s Office - Vidin, the person was detained for up to 72 hours, and a request for a pre-trial detention measure against him was to be submitted to the court. Work on the case is ongoing.
On 01.03.2026 in the afternoon, customs officers from Ruse Customs Territorial Directorate, within the framework of roadside stop control, diverted for inspection a vehicle selected after a centralised risk analysis. The truck, travelling from Greece to Poland, loaded with citrus fruits and vegetables, was taken for a thorough customs check at the site of the Vidin Customs Office.
During the control operations, after unloading 6 pallets, it was found that behind them were loaded pallets with boxes wrapped in white foil. Several of the boxes were cut, and cigarettes from two popular brands without Bulgarian excise stamps were found in them.
A full unloading took place, during which it was found that the truck was carrying 612 boxes with three well-known brands of cigarettes, all without a Bulgarian excise tax stamp. The total quantity of cigarettes seized was 306 000 boxes (6 120 000 pieces) worth EUR 1 152 845, the amount of excise duty avoided and not paid being EUR 691 560.
Pre-trial proceedings were initiated on the record of the Ruse Customs Territorial Directorate. Under the authority of the District Prosecutor’s Office - Vidin, investigations are being carried out in connection with the pre-trial proceedings initiated in respect of an offence under Article 234, paragraph 3, item 3, in conjunction with paragraph 1, item 2 of the Criminal Code – the unlawful holding of excise goods without tax stamps in large quantities. By order of the investigating authority, the driver of the vehicle, I.B., a citizen of Ukraine, was charged.
By order of a prosecutor of the District Prosecutor’s Office - Vidin, the person was detained for up to 72 hours, and a request for a pre-trial detention measure against him was to be submitted to the court. Work on the case is ongoing.
