On 18 May this year, the State Police Organised Crime Management has transferred criminal proceedings to the Prosecutor's Office for the opening of criminal proceedings for an illegal cigarette manufacturing plant in Jelgava in November 2018, where the damage caused to the State is estimated at EUR 256 179, 39. In general, nine individuals and one legal person have been identified as suspects in criminal proceedings.
It has already been reported that on November 29, 2018, in Jelgava, during a specially equipped factory site, law guards identified the illegal manufacture of cigarettes in large quantities. In total, around 1 150 000 illegal cigarettes were found and disposed of 1.9 tonnes of tobacco, papers and filters for the manufacture of cigarettes, packages and blocks of a familiar cigarette brand, and modern cigarette manufacturing and packaging facilities were also present there. Cigarettes were intended to be marketed not only without sachets and names, but preparations were also taken to pack cigarettes produced in sachets and blocks of recognizable marks. Eight men aged 27 to 60, three of whom are not nationals of Latvia, were initially detained for illegal cigarette storage.
Criminal proceedings were initiated following the third paragraph of Article 221 of the Criminal Law, on the illegal storage, transfer or disposal of tobacco products, if done to a large extent, and by an organised group. Such a crime may be punished by deprivation of liberty for a period of up to five years, by temporary deprivation of liberty, by forced labour or by fines, by confiscating property or without seizure of property and by supervising probation for up to three years or without it.
Preparated by:
Ance Rozite
Senior Officer
Tel. of the State Police
Public Relations Department. 67075095
Mob. Tel. 20269131
E-mail: ance.rozite@vp.gov.lv