Crackdown on illegal excise goods: Three arrested for storing Duty-Free cigarettes

The investigative service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia has apprehended three individuals for the storage and transportation of a substantial quantity of duty-free cigarettes without proper excise stamps. This operation, conducted in collaboration with the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti police department, resulted in the seizure of a large cache of illicit excise goods.

According to the investigative service's report, the arrested individuals were found in possession of 54,500 boxes of duty-free cigarettes in three locations across the Samegrelo region. The estimated market value of the seized contraband exceeds 256,000 GEL.

The suspects face charges under Article 200 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carries penalties ranging from 6 to 8 years of imprisonment. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend additional accomplices involved in the illegal enterprise.

"The Ministry of Finance's investigative service remains vigilant in its efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute cases of excise goods trafficking. In February alone, the agency uncovered 20 instances of illegal storage, transportation, and sale of duty-free cigarettes, resulting in charges against 15 individuals and the seizure of over 12,676 boxes of contraband cigarettes valued at more than 70,000 GEL," stated by agency.