Law enforcers in two trains reveal illegal transport of cigarettes; arrested by four Russian citizens / day

Last week, April 23, officials of the Criminal Police Bureau of the Latgale Regional Police of the State Police, in combating the illegal circulation of excise goods on the railway section from the Zilupe railway station to Rezekne 2, inspected two train compositions. It is known that trains entered the territory of Latvia from the Russian Federation.

During the train’s locomotive test, law enforcement officers found tobacco products that were illegally imported into Latvia from the Russian Federation. In total, 88,000 NZ Gold cigarettes were found and removed with the excise label of the Republic of Belarus.

Law enforcement officers detained four citizens of the Russian Federation – trainers and driver assistants. Law enforcement officers also sued the court to apply a custodial measure – arrest, which on 25 April 2025 also applied to all detainees. Investigations are ongoing in the two criminal proceedings initiated.

In connection with this event, criminal proceedings have been initiated under the third paragraph of Article 190 of the Criminal Law, namely for the offense provided for in the first paragraph of this Article, if committed by an organized group or for smuggling, if committed to a large scale. The commission of such a criminal offense is punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment, with or without confiscation of property, and probation supervision for up to three years, with the right to a certain or all kinds of commercial activity or to a certain occupation or to hold a certain position for up to five years.

The State Police recalls that no person is considered guilty until his or her fault is proven in accordance with the law.