Customs authorities confiscate approximately 50 kilograms of untaxed waterpipe tobacco and a substantial amount of untaxed e-Vape from a suspicious small transporter due to tax control measures.

The Main Customs Office in Aachen recently conducted a tax audit at a shisha bar located in the Heinsberg district, following an anonymous tip. According to the information transmitted by the Main Customs Office Aachen via news aktuell, the tip-off concerned a small van observed near the shisha bar.

During the audit, customs officers found a large quantity of e-vapes and water pipe tobacco without tax stamps in the loading area. Approximately 50 kg of tobacco and 16,000 milliliters of e-cigarette liquid were seized. However, officers found only taxed tobacco products in the store during the audit.

The owner of the shisha bar claimed that the van did not belong to him and that he did not have a key. The owner explained that the vehicle key had gone missing from the counter. However, a vehicle registration check revealed that the van was registered in the owner's name.

Criminal proceedings were opened against the 45-year-old store owner and his 34-year-old employee for suspected tax evasion and receiving stolen goods. The 34-year-old employee, who is under investigation on suspicion of tax evasion and receipt of stolen goods in connection with violation of the Tobacco Tax Act, could not be identified in the provided search results.

The court subsequently expanded the warrant to include a seizure order for the van due to suspicion of untaxed tobacco products. The Aachen District Court issued a search warrant for the store to find the car key, but the key could not be found during the search.

The Main Customs Office Aachen is handling the investigation. Contact information for the Main Customs Office Aachen can be found at www.zoll.de, with Sabine Kraemer as the point of contact, reachable at 0241/9091-2080 or [email protected].

It is important to note that this investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The Main Customs Office Aachen encourages the public to report any suspicious activities related to potential tax evasion or illegal sales of tobacco products.

Customs authorities confiscate approximately 50 kilograms of untaxed waterpipe tobacco and a substantial amount of untaxed e-Vape from a suspicious small transporter due to tax control measures.