Six million (!) Schwarzmarkt-Schick were removed from customs traffic last year. Due to the rising prices, the problem will probably deteriorate – the authority is confronted with a huge task.
The Austria-Douane was now able to book a double attack in the fight against the international Tschick-Mafia, in both cases the officers on the Ostautobahn (a 4) found in Lower Austria: in the course of a targeted check at Bruck a Der Leitha, a Bulgare in the car of his wife among other things.
In almost the same place, a Turkish truck driver recently went online: the 27-year-old initially stated that only 15 packaging. Behind homemade upholstery, the customs officers eventually provided 22,000 cigarettes of different varieties with Turkish Banderole. The man admitted 1000 euros for the smuggling ride-now he has a juicy display in the neck.
“Contribution for fair competitive conditions”
With these two official actions alone, nearly 50,000 unemployed “Tschick” were guaranteed, the dissatisfied taxes amount to almost 10,000 euros. A drop on the hot stone if you look at the annual balance that six million smuggling cigarettes were seized in 2024.
The officials will probably have more to do in the future. Because the youngest – and probably also coming – price increases in tobacco products are still fed by the smuggling. “Customs makes an indispensable contribution to fair competitive conditions for the domestic economy,” said Finance Secretary for State Eibinger-Miedl. Every smuggled Tschick damages our toilet.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
