More than 160 customs investigators and federal police have searched 17 residential and business premises in Neuss and its surroundings in North Rhine-Westphalia. Two Germans and two Russians are suspected of having imported high-quality cars into the European Union for years without having to pay the due customs duties and import sales tax. The damage to the state amounted to more than 650,000 euros, as the customs investigation office Essen reported.
With fake customs documents, therefore, nearly 100 high-priced passenger cars were "washed" and later sold on the Internet, with first registration in Germany. The investigation leads the prosecutor Dusseldorf. It is about the suspicion of gang-related tax evasion and document falsification. The raids already took place on Wednesday.
ZFA food
Confiscated car in Essen
5000 euros cash and high-quality wristwatches
The investigators provided in the searches, among other things, 17 luxury vehicles, extensive business records and more than 5000 € cash and two high-quality men's wristwatches safe.
The vehicles were procured according to the investigation so far of hitherto unidentified assistants in Russia. Subsequently, the 51-year-old Russian suspects and other unknown drivers had the cars transferred to Germany, it said. In addition, customs investigators highlighted a Russian-operated counterfeiting workshop in the Rhineland.
Passenger cars imported into the EU from third countries are subject to import duties, namely customs (10%) and import sales tax of 19% on the vehicle value.
