Customs seizure: 47 tons of untaxed cigarettes on a foreign ship
Status: Seizure reported; no corruption finding in the sources
Summary
Albanian authorities stopped a foreign commercial ship carrying 47 tons of cigarettes without documentation or excise stamps; four Ukrainian crew were arrested, according to Tirana Times. Tirana Times values the cargo at 10 million USD; Top Channel, as summarised in search results, gives up to 19 million USD. Customs chief Elisa Spiropali said the seizure showed determination against contraband and corruption. A search summary dates the seizure to May 2014, which could not be confirmed from the page text retrieved. Included as a seizure example, not as an official corruption case.
Key facts
- 47 tons of cigarettes seized (Tirana Times; Rama cited 48 tons)
- Value 10 million USD (Tirana Times) vs up to 19 million USD (Top Channel)
- Four crew arrested
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Seizure announced by customs (as reported)
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationSmuggling
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationSmuggling of untaxed cigarettes
Open questions (2)
- Confirmed date
- Whether any customs officers were investigated
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- None found
Figures
Money trail →Value of seized cigarettes
No amount recorded
Incomplete figureseizureSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: 10 million USD (Tirana Times) vs up to 19 million USD (Top Channel, per search summary). Incomplete; date uncertain.
Date: May 2014 · Payer: Smugglers (alleged) · Payee: State (seized goods)
- Customs seize 47 tons of cigarettes worth 10 million (opens in a new tab)Tirana Times · unknown (2014 per search summary, unverified) · journalism · EN
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 2 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Tirana Times
- Date
- unknown (2014 per search summary, unverified)
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- unknown