Polish Police Arrest Smuggling Ring, Totaling over $50k in Goods

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai

Jul.29.2024

Polish Police Arrest Smuggling Ring, Totaling over $50k in Goods

Three individuals arrested in Poland's Lower Silesia region for smuggling disposable e-cigarettes, causing financial losses of nearly $30,000.

According to RMF24, police in Lower Silesia, Poland have arrested three individuals suspected of smuggling disposable e-cigarettes in the Kaminoge area, including a 16-year-old. During the search, police found nearly 20,000 disposable e-cigarettes without Polish tax stamps, containing over 440 liters of liquid, estimated to have a black market value of at least 500,000 zloty (approximately $126,000). Their actions have resulted in a loss of nearly 1.2 million zloty (approximately $303,000) to the national treasury.

It is understood that since November 2023, a 29-year-old man who was arrested has been selling e-cigarettes of various brands and capacities without Polish tax stamps through international internet communication tools. He was assisted in distribution by his 16-year-old brother and father. They stored the goods in a warehouse rented under false information, and the e-cigarettes were mainly sent through cash on delivery, using fake data and randomly selected phone numbers for delivery. During this period, the three men circulated e-cigarettes worth 2 million zloty (approximately $50,600).

Currently, two adult males have been charged with tax evasion, while the 16-year-old juvenile will stand trial in family court.

References:

[1] Nielegalne e-papierosy. Handlowali ojciec, syn i 16-letni brat

Also Read:

[1] Poland to ban sale of e-cigarettes to minors in 2025

[2] Polish Ministry of Finance Proposes Tax on E-cigarette Devices

[3] Double Blow of High Taxes and Restrictions, Is Poland's Disposable Ban Set in Stone?

[4] Polish Government Delays Decision on Full Ban on E-cigarettes

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