Širvintai police shut down four illegal trading points in a week: over 1,550 cigarette packets confiscated
Over the course of a week, the activities of four illegal trading points in excise goods were shut down in Širvintai district. More than 1,550 cigarette packets and alcoholic beverages were removed from circulation.
Širvintai police shut down four illegal trading points over a week
According to Google News LT — Crime, from 27 August to 3 September, officers of the Širvintai district police commissariat conducted intensive inspections of illegal trade in excise-taxed goods. During that period, the activities of four illegal trading locations were shut down, and more than 1,550 cigarette packets and alcoholic beverages were removed from illegal circulation.
The first case was recorded on 27 August in Širvintai: approximately 170 cigarette packets and approximately 15 litres of alcoholic beverages were found and confiscated in the flat of a 61-year-old man.
1 September proved to be particularly productive for officers. On the same day in Širvintai, following a test purchase, 673 cigarette packets and beer were seized from a 61-year-old person. In Kieliai village, an 81-year-old woman sold 10 cigarette packets during a test purchase; upon inspection of her residence, more than 200 additional cigarette packets were found.
On 3 September, during an inspection in Šeiniūnai village, approximately 503 cigarette packets without Lithuanian Republic excise stamps were confiscated from a local resident.
Police remind the public that unlawful disposal of excise-taxed goods may result in both administrative and criminal liability – depending on the nature of the violation, the quantity and value of the goods. Administrative liability is provided for under Article 209 of the Administrative Code of Violations, and criminal liability under Article 199² of the Criminal Code. The latter may include a fine or imprisonment for 4, 6 or 8 years, depending on the value of the illegally disposed goods and other circumstances.
Officers point out that smuggled cigarettes and illegally sold alcohol enter an uncontrolled market from which the state receives no excise and other tax revenue. Such activities promote the shadow economy, and the profits obtained may be used to finance other illegal activities.
The Širvintai district police commissariat thanked district residents for their active cooperation and reports of possible illegal activities. "Every piece of information provided by a resident can become an important link in combating illegal trade," emphasise commissariat officers, calling on the public to continue reporting known smuggled cigarette sales points and other illegal excise goods trade locations.
Control of illegal trade in excise-taxed goods remains one of the priority areas of activity for Širvintai district police commissariat. Reports of possible legal violations can be made by telephone at 112 or through other police information channels.
Source: Google News LT — Crime (lt)