As a result of investigative activities carried out in the Adjara region, employees of the Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance of Georgia detained one person on the fact of systematic storage and sale of a large quantity of excisable cigarettes subject to mandatory marking, without excise marks.

Investigation determined that the person, who had previously been convicted of a similar crime, was systematically storing tobacco products in vehicles and selling them at retail in Batumi, in the vicinity of “Batumi Plaza”.

As a result of the search and other investigative activities, a large quantity of non-excise cigarettes was seized, the market value of which exceeds GEL 5 000.

It should be noted that the detainee has previously been exposed for similar illegal activities on numerous occasions. A guilty verdict has already been rendered against him in one criminal case, while a substantive hearing in another criminal case is ongoing at the Batumi City Court.

Alongside the investigative activities, the accused and other individuals obstructed the employees of the Investigation Service in carrying out their professional activities, during which they physically and verbally insulted the employees.

Investigation into the incident is underway under Article 200, Part 2, and Subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from four to six years.

Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance calls on citizens to refrain from similar illegal activities, as the Service’s response will be strict in any case.