Cigarettes and textiles worth 92,000 KM seized

Officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority in the Tuzla regional center, in two separate operations, temporarily seized cigarettes and textile products that were attempted to be smuggled into the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The total value of the seized goods amounts to 92,000 KM, reports the Patria News Agency.

On the Zvornik – Bijeljina road, in the town of Janja, authorized officials of the ITA in cooperation with officials of the BiH Border Police stopped a bus belonging to the company AD „Jugoprevoz“ Gacko.

During a detailed inspection inside the bus, specifically in a factory opening in the bus floor, hidden excise goods of foreign origin were found – 1,860 packs of cigarettes of the Trokadero slims, Merilin slims, and B&B brands, with a market value of 7,000 KM.

These were cigarettes that were not marked with excise stamps and were intended for the black market, and a misdemeanor procedure was initiated against the bus driver.

Based on previously obtained information about the illegal import of textile goods of well-known brands across the Drina River, authorized ITA officials conducted a detailed inspection of a passenger motor vehicle on the Zvornik - Bijeljina road, in the town of Glavičice. A large quantity of smuggled goods of well-known world brands was found in the vehicle, driven by a citizen of the Republic of Serbia, N.S.

These included tracksuits, vests, jeans, and jackets from Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Emporio Armani, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Adidas. For the goods in question, whose value was estimated at 85,000 KM, there was no documentation to prove their origin, nor any evidence that they had passed through the regular customs procedure.

According to the verbal statement of the person in whose possession the goods were found, they were imported across the customs line outside the border crossing with the ultimate goal of selling them in the Brčko District. A misdemeanor procedure has been initiated against the person before the competent court.

The successful implementation of these operations was particularly aided by specialized equipment donated to the ITA by the Government of the USA through the EXBS program, it was announced from the ITA of BiH.