Lörrach (dpa / lsw) – With lively interest from the public, a trial about the smuggling of tons of water pipe tobacco and tax damage in the millions began on Monday in Lörrach. Three employees of the main customs office in Lörrach are accused before the district court of importing around 23 tons of tobacco into the European Union (EU) and not properly declaring them. Instead of water pipe tobacco, the men aged 24, 47 and 55 are said to have declared other non-existent goods.
According to the indictment, the German tax authorities lost more than one million euros in tax revenue as a result, the district court announced. As a result, tax damage of at least 3.3 million euros arose in France. A court spokesman was initially unable to say on Monday whether the accused had gotten involved in the matter. A total of three days of negotiations are scheduled. A verdict could therefore fall on September 20 (Az.: 42 Ls 33 Js 15617/18).
