32 million euros of illegal cigarettes seized by customs: Belgium is a hub according to the FPS Finances
A day of customs action authorized the seizure of cigarettes was illegally enacted on Tuesday, August 23, the FPS Finance said in a statement on Tuesday. The actions also led to the arrest of 15 people including a main suspect in Anderlecht.
The day began with searches in warehouses located in Enghien, Dilbeek, Ichtegem and Zaventem as well as in a home in Anderlecht. Other warehouses located in Anderlecht and Asse were searched during the afternoon. The seizures made during this day amounted to a total of 57 million cigarettes and just over 48 tons of cut tobacco. This represents amounts due (excise, special excise and VAT) amounting to more than 32 million euros. The total for the year 2022 reached 139.1 million euros.
No less than four illegal cigarette production sites and one illegal waterpipe tobacco production site have been dismantled in Belgium this year. Fifteen warehouses were also discovered. Total seizures in 2022 amount to nearly 275 million cigarettes, 88.6 tons of smoking tobacco, 65 tons of waterpipe tobacco and 40.9 tons of raw tobacco.
Belgium seems to be becoming a hub for illicit tobacco production and trade, underlines the FPS Finances. According to him, this is due to its central geographical location halfway between the French and British black markets. Belgium is attractive to fraudsters given the increase in excise rates in neighboring countries and the short distances that separate it from them.