site.btaCustoms Impound over 12 Mln Illegal Cigarettes at Danube Bridge Checkpoint

Customs officers found - and impounded - 12,050,000 illegal cigarettes (1,205 master cases or 602,500 packs) in a truck at the Danube Bridge border checkpoint (BCP) in Ruse, on the Danube, the Customs Agency said Tuesday. 

The truck, driven by a Bulgarian driver, was stopped for inspection at the border checkpoint on Monday when the customs officers found the tobacco products during the subsequent inspection and scanning of the cargo.

Investigation into the case continues under the supervision of the Ruse District Prosecutor's Office. It said the cigarettes were worth a total of BGN 4,518 ,50 and the truck is the property of a Bulgarian trading company.

The 51-year-old driver is liable to three to 10 years in prison and a fine of BGN 20,000 to BGN 100,000 for such a crime.

According to the Customs Agency, 2,310 trucks were checked at the Danube Bridge at Ruse over the past 24 hours.