Smuggled 1.6 million cigarettes: Polish man remanded in custody

A 38-year-old Polish man has been remanded in custody for four weeks, charged with aggravated cigarette smuggling. This took place during a closed preliminary hearing on Tuesday at the Court in Sønderborg.

The case began on Monday afternoon, when the man crossed the Vilmkær border in a German van and continued along the E45 motorway. There, he was stopped by a patrol from the Immigration Control Department West (UKA West).

During a subsequent inspection of the van, officers found boxes containing a total of 1,659,800 cigarettes in the cargo area. The man was then arrested and charged with aggravated smuggling.

According to the police, the cigarettes represent a value of at least 3.26 million kroner in duties and taxes.

During the preliminary hearing, the accused acknowledged the factual circumstances but pleaded not guilty to smuggling. He did not appeal the remand in custody.

Deputy Police Inspector Karsten Høy from UKA West stated that the police are continuing their investigation of the case.

– The case shows that itinerant foreign criminals make a living through many different types of crime, including smuggling. We are very satisfied with the arrest and the seizure of the many cigarettes and will continue the investigation in the case, he said.

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