Customs investigation strikes: 7.5 million euros and 152 vehicles confiscated!

Customs investigation strikes: 7.5 million euros and 152 vehicles confiscated!

On January 26, 2025, it became known that investigators from the Frankfurt Customs Fearing Office carried out extensive searches in the Schifferstadt area, in the Rhein-Palatinate district on January 16, 2025. In this context, an asset arrest was carried out over around 7.5 million euros. The measures were implemented at the request of the Kaiserslautern public prosecutor. [FR.DE reports that ...]

The searches were ensured by around 250,000 euros in cash and comprehensive business documents. In addition, four expensive vehicles, including a high -priced motorhome and two electric car models of an American manufacturer, were attached. The total value of the assets secured is estimated at at least 500,000 euros. [Zoll.de informs about…]

allegations against 53-year-old suspects

The main suspect, a 53-year-old man, is suspected of violating the current embargo regulations. He is accused of selling or running at least 152 vehicles to Russia and Belarus. These actions violate Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014, which prohibits the sale and export of goods to Russia. [FR.DE explains that ...]

The investigation is underway under the direction of the Kaiserslautern public prosecutor. The customs investigation measures are part of a more comprehensive strategy to combat criminal offenses in foreign trade. The extended powers, which were introduced by the customs investigation law (ZFDG), are also used. This law, which has been in force since 2021, gives the customs authorities additional tools to combat customs and tax crimes. [owlaw.de explains the relevance of the ZFDG…]

scope of the customs investigation in Germany

The customs investigation in Germany has a variety of tasks that range from the persecution of tax crimes to fight the unauthorized import of weapons to combating drug crime and money laundering. There are a total of eight customs investigators in Germany who are supported in their work by the customs criminal office (ZKA). Recent regulations in the ZFDG allow customs authorities to comprehensively collect and process data in order to act more effectively against criminal structures. [owlaw.de points out that ...]

Companies in foreign trade must adapt to increased controls and possible interventions in their confidential documents. The customs investigation uses modern means, including source telecommunications monitoring and hidden investigators in order to capture crimes more effectively. These developments underline the urgency with which the authorities act against processes such as the unauthorized sale of vehicles to Russia and Belarus. [Zoll.de emphasizes that ...]