Cigarette smuggling and drug trafficking: major police operation in the region!

Cigarette smuggling and drug trafficking: major police operation in the region!

On Wednesday, a comprehensive operation against cigarette smuggling and drug trafficking took place in the Ulm/Neu-Ulm area. The Bavarian police report that emergency services from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg searched a total of 20 objects. The action was part of a large-scale investigation that was coordinated by the Criminal Police Inspectorate with central tasks from the Swabia South/West Police Headquarters. The Augsburg public prosecutor's office is conducting proceedings against a 69-year-old defendant, while two other men aged 39 and 49 are also suspected of dealing in narcotics as well as counterfeit and untaxed cigarettes.

During the searches, numerous pieces of evidence were seized, including a significant amount of untaxed cigarettes and narcotics. The investigations are ongoing and the pressure on the illegal trade does not appear to be letting up. The booming black market for cigarettes in Germany is not a new phenomenon. In 2022, around 1.6 billion cigarettes were sold illegally, and the share of illegal cigarettes in total consumption is expected to be 2.1 percent in 2023. This comes from one Study by Philip Morris International out.

Cigarettes and drugs in focus

Illegal cigarette production is not only a problem for the police, but also has serious financial consequences. According to the study's estimates, the black market will lead to a tax loss of 368 million euros in 2023. Experts therefore recommend strengthening controls and providing customs with better equipment to put a stop to the illegal business. Interesting facts from North Rhine-Westphalia show that illegal cigarettes are also manufactured there, as evidenced by the seizure of 20,000 cartons of cigarettes and a production facility in Iserlohn in June 2022.

The demand for illegal cigarettes is primarily fueled by high taxes and prices in other countries, such as France and Great Britain. There, the proportion of illegal cigarettes in total consumption is up to 30 percent. The German customs authorities are faced with a major challenge as more and more cigarettes are being smuggled into Germany from abroad.

Safe content in the stream

In digital entertainment, users are often looking for affordable options for movies and TV shows. Free streaming websites are on the rise, even if they operate in a legal gray area. Although the site PrivacySavvy is not a supporter of illegal activities, it is recommended to be careful and check the legal status of the content. Many of these platforms may host copyrighted content and pose potential risks such as malware or tracking by ISPs.

The use of a VPN is recommended for streaming fans to increase security. Special mention goes to sites like AZMovies, SolarMovie and Tubi TV, which offer a legal but ad-supported streaming experience.

Overall, the illegal cigarette trade has far-reaching consequences for the police and society, while the digital streaming market is constantly growing. It remains exciting to see how both areas will be regulated and monitored in the future.