Athens Airport customs seize over 477,000 smuggled cigarettes

Inspectors from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) have seized over 477,000 smuggled cigarettes during two separate operations at Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport.

In the first incident, customs officers used a trained detection dog named ‘BANE’ to inspect a postal warehouse. The search uncovered 362,800 smuggled cigarettes hidden within 26 packages destined for Germany and Belgium. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify the senders.

In a second, separate incident, customs officials intercepted an Egyptian passenger arriving from Cairo. Following a targeted inspection, authorities discovered 114,200 cigarettes distributed across seven pieces of luggage. The passenger was arrested and taken to the prosecutor. The total amount in unpaid duties and taxes resulting from both operations is estimated at 97,619.70 euros.