Skopje, 23 July 2024 (MIA) – Customs officials over the past week have foiled attempts of smuggling cigarettes, clothes, motorcycles, scooters and even an inflatable pool, according to the Customs Administration in a press release.

Customs agents at the Skopje International Airport prevented an attempt to smuggle out of the country 114 packs of Karelia brand cigarettes without any excise stamps and five packs of Sobranie brand cigarettes with Bulgarian excise stamps.

The cigarettes were discovered in the luggage of a Macedonian citizen travelling to London.

"After airport security service noticed the passenger's heavy luggage, the customs agents performed a thorough examination of his suitcase and found the undeclared cigarettes," the release says, adding that the contraband has been temporarily seized and charges will be filed.

The Customs Administration also filed a criminal complaint against a Kosovo citizen attempting to smuggle into the country 52 formal dresses via the Blace border crossing.

The driver initially did not stop for a customs check, but he was signalled to come back. The customs agents then found the undeclared dresses in three bags behind the back seat and two bags stuffed under the passenger seat. The dresses have been temporarily seized as well.

A Turkish citizen driving a car with Kosovo license plates tried to smuggle out of the country 350 short-sleeved T-shirts.

Customs agents at the Blace border crossing found the undeclared items, which the driver said had been purchased in Turkey but he did not have any proof of purchase, in a handbag and several plastic bags on the back seat and in the trunk of the car. The T-shirts have been temporarily seized and charges filed against the driver.

A Macedonian citizen at the Jazhince border crossing tried to enter the country driving a Ford Fiesta 1.4 TD passenger vehicle with Slovakian license plates. "Because the owner of the vehicle, a Slovak citizen, was not inside the vehicle, the driver committed a customs violation," the release says, adding that the vehicle was temporarily seized and charges filed against the driver.

Over the past week, customs officers also seized nine undeclared used vehicles – quadricycles, motorcycles and scooters; 4 electric wheelchairs; 42 used speakers; 21 used tires; 1 used refrigerator; 1 used outdoor air conditioner unit; 35 used metal brackets; and 1 rubber pool originating from Switzerland during a customs clearance procedure at the Skopje 3 Customs Office.

The items, with a total worth of Mden 2.3 million, were not listed in the customs paperwork. They have been temporarily seized and charges will be filed against the importer. mr/