UIO in 'MARKET 2' operation seized tobacco and cigarettes worth 180,000 BAM

(Patria) - Officers of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (UIO BiH) in the area of the Tuzla Regional Center conducted operational activities within the framework of the operation “MARKET 2”, and in several separate actions seized significant quantities of tobacco and cigarettes intended for the “black market”.

Temporarily seized were more than 800 kilograms of fine-cut tobacco and 2,000 packs of cigarettes that were not marked with UIO excise stamps. The value of the seized excise products is estimated at around 180,000 BAM.

During intensified control activities in the area of the Tuzla Regional Center, UIO officers, based on operational field work, noticed vehicles containing a larger quantity of fine-cut tobacco intended for further distribution and sale. By orders of the Court of BiH and instructions of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH, vehicle searches were carried out, during which 577.7 kilograms of tobacco and 2,000 packs of cigarettes without excise stamps were found.

Also, an additional 258 kilograms of fine-cut tobacco that was not marked in the legally prescribed manner was found with three individuals, and legally prescribed measures and actions were taken against them.

Reports on the committed criminal offense will be submitted against the suspects to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to the existence of grounds for suspicion that they committed the criminal offense of “Illegal traffic in excise products” from the Criminal Code of BiH.