Caserta, large seizure of contraband cigarettes: 6 arrests. THE VIDEO

Major seizure of contraband cigarettes in Caserta by the Guardia di Finanza who got their hands on approximately 5,5 tons of contraband cigarettes, a truck, two vans and a car. Six arrests in the act.

As part of its daily general prevention and economic control activities in the area, the Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza of Caserta has intensified its services aimed at combating illicit trafficking in recent weeks, especially with reference to the phenomenon of smuggling of tobacco.

In this context, the military personnel of the Economic and Financial Police Unit, following previous information-investigative activity and analysis of the data collected, identified some individuals of foreign nationality as possible intermediaries in the sale of a large shipment of TLE that was to be completed in the following days.

The value of the seized cigarettes is 1,5 million euros

The targeted checks and investigations on the territory thus allowed the identification and control of a vehicle, on which were cleverly hidden, behind a cover load, n. 540 cases of cigarettes bearing the “regina” and “winston” brands and without the state seal, for a total weight of approximately 5,5 tons, ready to be sold on the black market in Campania for a counter value of over 1,5 million euros.

All six people responsible for the illegal trafficking, two of whom are Croatian citizens and one Bosnian, were arrested in flagrante delicto and placed at the disposal of the competent Judicial Authority, which ordered their referral to trial by summary procedure before the Court of Nola.

On July 14, two of the arrested individuals, also considering their recidivism, were sentenced to three years and four months in prison and a fine of 4 million euros, as well as a 30-year ban from holding public office.