A 60-year-old driver from Kazakhstan has been detained in Omsk on suspicion of transporting a large batch of unmarked cigarettes. 37,210 packs worth more than 5.5 million rubles (about 30 million tenge) were seized from illegal circulation. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The information was reported by Omsk-inform, citing the investigative department of the city's Interior Ministry directorate.

According to the investigation

According to the investigation, in late September the man received boxes of cigarettes from unidentified persons in Pavlodar. He hid them in caches in the luggage compartment of a Volvo passenger bus and set off for Omsk.

Two days later, officers of the Border Directorate of Russia's FSB for the Omsk region detained the driver while he was unloading the cigarettes in a hangar. During an inspection of the vehicles, operatives discovered unmarked tobacco products.

Criminal cases opened

Criminal cases were opened against the man for the acquisition, storage and transportation of unmarked tobacco products for sale on an especially large scale, as well as for smuggling.

The Pervomaysky District Court of Omsk placed the suspect under house arrest. The investigation is identifying other possible participants and their role in the transportation of the cigarettes.

Key facts

  • 01Detained: a 60-year-old driver from Kazakhstan.
  • 02Seized cigarettes: 37,210 packs of unmarked tobacco products.
  • 03Value: more than 5.5 million rubles (about 30 million tenge).
  • 04Place of receipt: Pavlodar, late September.
  • 05Vehicle: a Volvo passenger bus, with caches in the luggage compartment.
  • 06Place and time of detention: Omsk, two days later, while unloading cigarettes in a hangar.
  • 07Detaining authority: Border Directorate of Russia's FSB for the Omsk region.
  • 08Court decision: the Pervomaysky District Court of Omsk placed the suspect under house arrest.
  • 09Cases opened: acquisition, storage and transportation of unmarked tobacco products for sale on an especially large scale, as well as smuggling.

The investigation continues, identifying other possible participants and their role in the transportation of the cigarettes.