Police in Polva County in southeastern Estonia found 120,000 illegal cigarettes in a car that turned into a side road after the driver had noticed a patrol Monday afternoon.
Police find 120,000 illegal cigarettes in car in SE Estonia
11th November 2014, 16:08
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Officers conducting blanket breathalyzer testing in the territory of the Polva muncipality on Monday started chasing a Nissan Almera at about 4:30 p.m. after noticing the car slow down swiftly and turn into a side road about one hundred meters before the patrols, spokespeople for the South prefecture of the Police and Border Guard Board said.
The police discovered the car at the end of the dead-end road with a 18-year-old man next to the vehicle claiming that the driver had fled with the keys after locking the doors of the vehicle.
Keys to the car were discovered in the 18-year-old's pocket and a search of the vehicle revealed 12 cardboard boxes full of packs of cigarettes not bearing Estonian tax stamps.
A criminal investigation has been opened and besides a punishment for handling illegal cigarettes the 18-year-old may face a tax claim in the amount of approximately 15,000 euros.