Customs Foiled Another Smuggling Attempt Involving Hidden Cigarettes Among Travelers

In an unexpected turn of events on August 14, 2025, a Bulgarian tourist bus entering Dresden from the Czech Republic on the A17 motorway was stopped by customs officials. The bus, which had previously been involved in a cigarette smuggling attempt in May 2025, was subjected to a thorough inspection using X-ray technology.

During the inspection, customs officers discovered a staggering 12,500 untaxed cigarettes hidden in various places on the bus. Some passengers were found with identical black foil bags, each containing four packs of cigarettes. Additionally, cigarettes were found hidden under an air vent cover above the seats, with a total of 31 packs found at this location. Furthermore, customs officers found a further eight black foil bags in the luggage compartment, each containing four packs of cigarettes that did not belong to any of the passengers.

The driver of the bus, a 49-year-old Bulgarian national, eventually admitted to the smuggling of the cigarettes, leading to the initiation of a tax evasion procedure against him. The evaded tax was seized on the spot, amounting to over 2,500 euros.

For further queries, the Main Customs Office Dresden can be contacted at www.zoll.de. Heike Wilsdorf, the press spokesperson for the Main Customs Office Dresden, can be reached at 0351-4644-1044, while emails can be sent to [email protected] for inquiries.

Interestingly, none of the passengers could provide any information about the cigarettes, neither about the brand nor the place of purchase. It remains unclear how the passengers were unaware of the contraband in their possession.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by customs officials to combat cigarette smuggling and ensure the collection of taxes. The Main Customs Office Dresden continues to work diligently to protect the revenue of the state and uphold the law.

Customs Foiled Another Smuggling Attempt Involving Hidden Cigarettes Among Travelers