Illegal cigarette case expands with intimidation charges

New episodes have emerged in a major illegal cigarette distribution case uncovered by police nearly two years ago, LSM’s De facto reported. Some suspects are on trial, while others are awaiting court proceedings.

The original investigation has led to several separate criminal cases. One of them involves charges against a lawyer and a former police officer over an alleged attempt to pressure an accused person into not giving evidence. Answers provided in court this week by the investigator in the cigarette smuggling case indicate that several people involved were afraid to speak.

In 2024, authorities discovered an extensive illegal cigarette factory in Ludza, with equipment and raw materials. Police and border guards also carried out searches and arrests at the end of that year, gathering evidence against an illegal cigarette distribution network. A concealed safe containing cash was found in the basement of a multi-storey building in Riga.

Prosecutor Santa Berga said the main case remained under investigation but was nearing completion. She said it should be sent to court this year. In one of the separate criminal cases, she is prosecuting six people over the circulation of illegal cigarettes.

More than 160 million cigarettes were found, and the damage caused to the state was estimated at about 27 million euros. One member of the group has admitted guilt and significantly assisted the investigation.

The lawyer representing that accused person, Šulte, allegedly tried to influence him so that he would not give evidence. The court has also been hearing for about a year a money-laundering case against businessman Elmārs Laizāns. According to the main investigator, several people questioned in that case were reluctant to testify because they were afraid.

Berga also said that new illegal tobacco dealings were linked to the group detained at the end of 2024.