The Prosecutor’s Office (MP) conducted about 70 searches and arrested four people on suspicion of tobacco fraud from Spain, which would cause damage to the state in the amount of 3.5 million euros, the MP said on Tuesday.
According to a statement published on the website of the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation conducted by the Central Directorate of Investigation and Criminal Prosecution (DCIAP) focuses on “the organized actions of groups of individuals aimed at introducing and commercializing in Portugal tobacco from Spain without paying due taxes”, such as tax Value Added Tax (VAT) and Special Consumption Tax (IEC).
At stake, according to the deputy, will be the crimes of fraudulent introduction into qualified consumption, tax fraud, counterfeiting and the criminal community, suspicions of which led to about 70 home and non-domestic searches in the areas of Porto, Braga and Vila Real on February 28 and 2 and 6 March.
“Four people were also detained on the basis of warrants outside of detention issued by DCIAP,” can be read in the information released by the MP, who added: “There is strong evidence that more than 3.5 million euros in damages have been caused to the state.”
The DCIAP investigation, which is under judicial secrecy, is also backed by the GNR’s tax action department, and the steps taken last week were also supported by Europol and the Spanish Civil Guard.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.