Coast Guard officers, customs officials and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) intercepted a very large shipment of smuggled cigarettes at the Port of Piraeus.

As Shipping and Island Policy Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced in a post on X, the shipment contained 10,500,000 smuggled cigarettes hidden inside a container.

According to Mr. Kikilias, the taxes and duties lost to the state from the illegal shipment were estimated at €2.1 million.

A 33-year-old foreign national was arrested in connection with the case, with Vassilis Kikilias congratulating “those who work quietly, day and night, to protect the borders and the public interest.”

Vassilis Kikilias’ post

At the Port of Piraeus, Hellenic Coast Guard personnel, in cooperation with the Customs Service and AADE, located and seized 10,500,000 smuggled cigarettes hidden inside a shipping container.

A fraud that would have deprived the State of €2,148,862.99 in duties and taxes.

A 33-year-old foreign national was arrested.

Congratulations to the men and women of the Hellenic Coast Guard. To those who work quietly, day and night, to protect the borders and the public interest.

We continue. With zero tolerance for illegal trade.