Massive cache of bootleg cigs seized in Thessaloniki

Greek customs officials on Wednesday seized a massive cache of bootleg cigarettes, estimated at some 36.1 million packs, in the northern city of Thessaloniki.

Taxes and levies corresponding to the cache exceed 7.32 million euros.

The bootleg cigarettes were located in a container, with a bill of lading listing “wooden kitchen utensils” and orthopedic shoes as the cargo within. The container was due to be shipped by rail to neighboring Bulgaria. A check showed that Greek companies listed as the shippers of the cargo in the container, with a final destination to the Czech Republic, did not exist.