TOBACCO SMUGGLING
May 1st, 2004
BY KEITH NUTHALL
CIGARETTE companies can reclaim customs debts created by the seizure in the European Union of smuggled tobacco products in operations involving undercover agents, the European Court of Justice has ruled. In a case brought by the Netherlands' British American Tobacco Manufacturing BV (taking over from Rothmans in 2000), the court said the DM 1.4 million claimed by German customs on 11 million seized and destroyed Golden American cigarettes could be reclaimed "provided no deception or obvious negligence may be attributed" to Rothmans.
CIGARETTE companies can reclaim customs debts created by the seizure in the European Union of smuggled tobacco products in operations involving undercover agents, the European Court of Justice has ruled. In a case brought by the Netherlands' British American Tobacco Manufacturing BV (taking over from Rothmans in 2000), the court said the DM 1.4 million claimed by German customs on 11 million seized and destroyed Golden American cigarettes could be reclaimed "provided no deception or obvious negligence may be attributed" to Rothmans.
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