Major Oil Smuggling Ring Busted in Germany, 6 Arrested
Customs investigators have launched a major operation targeting a suspected oil smuggling ring. The raids, conducted on 32 locations across Germany, led to the seizure of five Polish tanker trucks loaded with diesel fuel and the arrest of six individuals. The suspected operation involved the sale of over 37 million litres of smuggled oil, resulting in an estimated tax loss of 18 million euros in energy tax and 3.6 million euros in VAT evasion.
The company at the centre of the investigation, Bayernoil Raffineriegesellschaft mbH in Upper Franconia, is suspected of daily delivering up to 16 tanker trucks of oil from Eastern Europe without proper taxation. The untaxed diesel fuel was then resold through the company's own tanker trucks and nearby gas stations, with investigators believing this practice has been ongoing since the beginning of 2023. During the raids, customs investigators secured extensive evidence, including business documents, vehicles, and over 30,000 euros in cash. Around 300 personnel from various customs investigation offices and tax investigation offices participated in the searches. In a separate incident, a suspect attempted to destroy or dispose of written records during a flight to Frankfurt am Main.
The raids were executed following the suspected sale of over 37 million litres of smuggled oil, with the preliminary estimated tax loss standing at around 18 million euros for energy tax and an additional 3.6 million euros for VAT evasion. The operation highlights the ongoing efforts by customs investigators to combat oil smuggling and tax evasion. The arrested individuals and the company involved are now facing further investigation and potential legal action.
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