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Augsburg Customs Seizes €67K, Initiates 63 Criminal Proceedings in Major Operations

A traveler from Turkey was caught with gold jewelry worth over €26,000 without customs clearance. Officials targeted return traffic from holidays, seizing illegal weapons and enforcing customs limits.

This picture shows few cross symbols and few papers and key chains on the glass table.
This picture shows few cross symbols and few papers and key chains on the glass table.

Augsburg Customs Seizes €67K, Initiates 63 Criminal Proceedings in Major Operations

The Main Customs Office Augsburg recently conducted special controls, resulting in the collection of over 67,000 euros in customs duties. During these operations, 63 criminal proceedings were initiated, with the majority involving suspicion of tax evasion and smuggling of gold jewelry. Notably, one traveler returning from Turkey was found with gold jewelry worth over 26,000 euros without proof of customs clearance.

The control unit Kempten focused on return traffic from holidays over a period of just over two weeks. Their efforts led to seven criminal proceedings due to suspicion of violating the Weapons Act, including cases involving switchblades and butterfly knives. The officials primarily targeted the import of gold jewelry, with one high-profile case involving jewelry worth over 26,000 euros. The total number of criminal proceedings initiated was 63, with the majority related to tax evasion and smuggling of gold. Routine cases in Germany often remain anonymous to protect the personality rights of those involved. However, the Zollabfertigung process requires that reiseSouvenirs, Schmuck, and Wertgegenstände adhere to certain Freigrenzen when entering from Non-EU-Ländern. Failure to comply can result in Steuerhinterziehung or Schmuggel.

The special controls conducted by the Main Customs Office Augsburg led to a significant collection of customs duties and the initiation of numerous criminal proceedings. While the majority of cases remain anonymous to protect the rights of those involved, the high-value case of gold worth over 26,000 euros highlights the importance of these operations in preventing tax evasion and smuggling.

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