Customs in NRW snaps 160,000 illegal e-cigarettes-investigations run!

Customs in NRW snaps 160,000 illegal e-cigarettes-investigations run!

In a large-scale use, the customs investigation office Essen confiscated almost 160,000 illegal e-cigarettes in North Rhine-Westphalia. This measure not only affects the import, but also the resale of non -taxed and non -transportable products. Investigations against two 36-year-old men who are Chinese citizens have been initiated. They are accused of importing, stored and selling these e-cigarettes to Germany. The tax damage incurred amounts to around 520,000 euros, such as Nordrhein-Westfalen-35618566.html" reported.

As early as June 2024, over 30 pallets with 156,000 e-cigarettes were discovered in Gelsenkirchen. Another assignment once again resulted in several hundred e-cigarettes at the new company headquarters of the suspects in Lünen a week ago. These research show that despite the ongoing investigations, trade has apparently continued to be actively operated.

Investigative backgrounds

The current investigations were triggered by irregularities in a wholesale for e-cigarettes in Schermbeck. The authorities have been working in these cases since the end of 2023. On January 16, 2025, there were searches at several locations, including Düsseldorf, Mönchengladbach, Hermeskeil, Herten and Wegberg. Three residential properties, four company addresses and three deposits were searched. The order came from the main customs office Krefeld.

In the searches, further relevant evidence was ensured, including:

• 50 Euro pallets with illegal e-cigarettes
• 75,000 euros cash
• fake documents
• a long weapon with ammunition
• Written and electronic materials

The suspicion is directed not only against the suspects already mentioned, but also against other people who are of Afghan or Chinese origin. It is particularly striking that further significant cash amounts and unmounted e-cigarettes were found in Mönchengladbach and Düsseldorf.

legal situation and tax aspects

Since July 1, 2022, Liquids for e-cigarettes in Germany have been subject to tobacco tax of EUR 0.26 per milliliter. This legal regulation has intensified the control and taxation of e-cigarette products. The customs investigation has continued the investigation into close cooperation with other authorities, including the Saarbrücken traffic routes, to counteract this illegal trade.

The investigation by the Essen customs investigation office continues and it remains to be seen which further steps will be taken to dry out illegal trade in North Rhine-Westphalia. The dimensions of the previous consolidations and the associated tax damage are alarming and show that the problem is more extensive than initially assumed, as well as Zoll