Cigarettes “stored” in cabinets and vessels

Authorized officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority seized cigarettes and tobacco in the operational action code-named BLOK in the municipality of Bratunac, whose total market value is estimated at 79,502 BAM.

Officers of the Group for the Prevention of Smuggling and Misdemeanors from the regional center of Tuzla identified a person with the initials P.T. in an operational action code-named BLOK  who is involved in illicit trade of excise products, and located the facility that the person used for storage of unlabeled excise products. On that occasion,the located residential building and auxiliary facilities were searched, all in accordance with the instructions and guidelines of the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH and the order of the Court of BiH. During the search, 155 kg of finely cut tobacco without excise stamps were found, as well as 8,342 packs of various cigarettes that were not marked with ITA excise stamps. The seized excise goods were hidden in cupboards and dishes. The total value of temporarily seized goods is estimated at 79,502 BAM.

Against the suspect with the initials P.T.  a report on the committed criminal offense and the perpetrator will be submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to the existence of grounds for suspicion that the criminal offense of Illicit Trafficking in Excise Products, under Article 210a of the Criminal Code of BiH.

In the course of taking measures within its competence, specialized equipment and vehicles were used, which was donated to the ITA by the US Government through the EXBS program.

In order to achieve such and similar results, it is extremely important to cooperate with citizens who are hereby invited to report to our open line 080 02 06 07 any form of customs or VAT evasion, or illegal sale of excise products. All calls are free and completely anonymous.