An FCS Russia press release reports disruption of an “organised group’s illegal tobacco trade in St Petersburg”.
North-West operational customs detained five members while unloading a truck from Moscow at a guarded yard.
More than 600,000 packs of Armenian cigarettes without excise stamps or mandatory marking (worth RUB 85 million) were seized, hidden behind consumer goods while documents listed tea and napkins.
Retail distribution in St Petersburg and Leningrad Region was planned; a case under Article 171.1(6) of the Criminal Code is being considered.
