Official caught over contraband cigarettes
A customs official was arrested Monday in connection with a shipment of more than 370,000 contraband cigarettes that was seized by port authorities in Igoumenitsa, northwestern Greece, on Thursday.
The 53-year-old man was nabbed after a coordinated effort by the port authority’s internal affairs division. He was the second person to be implicated after the arrest of a port official.
Officials said that the cigarettes were hidden in a consignment of fish at the back of refrigerated truck that was about to board a ferry.
Authorities estimate that the seized smokes are worth 1.2 million euros in lost taxes and excise duty to Greek taxpayers.
