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The FIOD confiscated about 45 million cigarettes on Thursday during a major operation in South Holland. Three men were also arrested on suspicion of large-scale cigarette smuggling. The FIOD has in particular seized 130,000 euros in cash and two trucks. Truck driver arrested in Rotterdam
According to the tax investigation service, a group of criminals smuggled cigarettes into the Netherlands via sea containers, after which they were sold on the Dutch and European markets . Cigarettes are illegal because no sales and excise taxes have been paid. According to the FIOD, 11 million euros have been taxed for this.
A spokesman for the service speaks of a "very big catch". Taking this Thursday represents more than half of what the FIOD has taken throughout 2017. That year, the investigation service took 75 million cigarettes. In 2016, it was even less: 17 million. The increase in seizures can be explained by the fact that the FIOD has set up a special team to fight against cigarette smuggling.
Cigarettes occupied by the FIOD are being destroyed. The exact size of cigarette smuggling in the Netherlands is hard to say.
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