Officers of the National Revenue Administration (KAS) in Podlasie stopped a shipment of nearly 4 million counterfeit cigarette packages bearing the marks of well-known brands in Budzisko. The shipment was being carried in a truck coming from Lithuania that was supposed to be loaded with candy packaging.
The estimated market value of that many original packages is nearly PLN 1 million, KAS Podlasie spokesman Maciej Czarnecki said on Wednesday.
The truck was pulled over for inspection on the S61 expressway near the Polish-Lithuanian border. The driver was a 33-year-old Romanian citizen. According to the documents he presented, the cargo was cardboard packaging for lollipops, destined for Italy.
The vehicle was scanned with an X-ray device and the cargo was checked. Officers found that in the trailer, on 36 pallets and beneath a layer of lollipop cartons, were hidden nearly 4 million cigarette packages marked with the trademarks of well-known tobacco brands.
Czarnecki added that a representative of the company that holds the rights to the protected trademarks confirmed the packages were counterfeits.
The investigation is being conducted by the Podlasie Customs and Revenue Office in Białystok under the supervision of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Suwałki. The driver was questioned as a witness.
KAS in Podlasie foiled a very similar smuggling attempt from Lithuania into Poland in May. At that time, customs and revenue officers found a combined 5.5 million counterfeit cigarette packages in two trucks.
Marking goods with counterfeit trademarks is punishable by up to five years in prison. (PAP)
