Customs officers seize 107,000 cigarettes worth 50,000 euros at Stuttgart Airport

Customs officials at Stuttgart Airport have made a significant seizure, intercepting 107,000 undeclared cigarettes valued at around 50,000 euros. The discovery was made in the luggage of three Bulgarian nationals – a 35-year-old man and two women aged 22 and 27 – arriving on a flight from Turkey.

“

The passengers were stopped and asked for their luggage to be inspected.

The travelers attempted to pass through the green channel, designated for those with nothing to declare, drawing the attention of customs officers. Their six new, hard-shell suitcases, which were conspicuously heavy and collectively handled, prompted a detailed inspection. During the search, officers found the suitcases were almost exclusively packed with cigarettes, with personal belongings and a small amount of clothing found only in their hand luggage.

This seizure marks the largest of its kind for Stuttgart customs in the past seven years. The undeclared cigarettes represent a substantial loss of import duties, estimated to exceed 30,000 euros had they been declared properly. Customs spokesperson Thomas Seemann noted that while some travelers may be unaware of the strict limits on tobacco imports (typically 200 cigarettes per person), the quantity and method of transport in this case clearly indicated a planned and organized smuggling operation.

“

The suitcases were intended exclusively for the transport of cigarettes. 536 cartons were found in them, while personal belongings and a small amount of clothing were packed only in hand luggage.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the three Bulgarian citizens for suspected smuggling. The suitcases themselves were also confiscated, as they are considered instruments used in the commission of the crime. This incident underscores the vital role of customs services in combating smuggling and protecting the financial interests of the state. Stuttgart customs has had other notable seizures this year, including a large amount of cash hidden in coal in February, which led to a money-laundering investigation involving a local football club.

“

It often happens that passengers are not aware of the rules on tobacco imports, which allow the import of a maximum of 200 cigarettes per person. However, this case differs significantly from that. The quantity of goods and the method of transport clearly indicate planned and organized action.