Novo Selo, 20th July 2010

 

The customs officials of the border crossing Novo Selo, on Tuesday (20^th July 2010) prevented an attempt for smuggling of 88 undeclared cartons (880 boxes) of LD –blue cigarettes with Macedonian banderoles.

 

About 7.00 in the evening of 20^th July, a Renault Espace V6 with Bulgarian citizen was declared for exit from the country. The vehicle was driven by a Bulgarian citizen with initials K.D. when asked if he had anything to declare, the driver answered negatively. Nonetheless, the vehicle was subjected to control. The driver explained the inability to open the front windows which operated electronically, with the fact that the vehicle did not belong to him and that they were probably out of order. The closer look at the doors however, resulted in the finding that the bolts had been tampered with recently, while in the glove compartment, the customs officials found tools which were apparently to be used to unscrew the doors.  Each door was separately disassembled where about 50 unpacked cartons of LD cigarettes were found (25 in each door).

 

During the further control of the vehicle, the customs officials found that in the back of the boot there was a metal compartment with a plastic fuel tube on the right side. The tube, filled with petrol had a fuel inlet on top. The inspection of the fuel tank led to the finding that it had not been used for quite some time. It was cut in half and a compartment was built inside. When the tank was opened, the customs officials found the rest of the cigarettes – 33 cartons of the same brand.

 

The goods, subject to the customs offence were seized and charges will be pressed against the offender.