In Kyrgyzstan, six people have been detained on suspicion of organising a smuggling channel for foreign tobacco products through the country. According to media reports, among those detained is the 23-year-old head of the "Kant" border post.
WHAT THE STATE COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (SCNS) REPORTED
According to the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Kyrgyzstan, law enforcement agencies have shut down the activities of an organised group allegedly involved in the smuggling of tobacco products through the territory of Kyrgyzstan.
The SCNS reported that the main organisers of the scheme, as well as implicated officials from the State Border Service, were detained while attempting to export another batch of goods.
A criminal case is being investigated under Part 4 of Article 231 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. Six people have been detained as part of the case.
Investigative and operational measures are ongoing.
WHO IS AMONG THOSE DETAINED
As reported by Sputnik, citing its own sources, among those detained is 23-year-old head of the "Kant" border post, B. S. A.
According to the publication, he is the son of the Deputy Minister of Defence of Kyrgyzstan, Azizbek Baybalaev. No official comment from the Ministry of Defence had been provided at the time of publication.
WHAT PREVENTIVE MEASURE DID THE COURT CHOOSE
The Bishkek City Court reported that those detained have been arrested until 15 July.
WHAT FBRK PREVIOUSLY UNCOVERED ABOUT TOBACCO SMUGGLING
FBRK previously published a series of investigations on the illegal tobacco market in Kazakhstan. In two editions, the editorial team discussed the scale of the grey market, which is estimated to cover up to 20% of cigarette sales, as well as the supply routes for smuggled products, including the Kyrgyz direction.
A separate edition was dedicated to the case of Sergei Buri, a figure in the investigation extradited from Russia regarding an alleged transnational tobacco smuggling scheme. Details are available on the FBRK YouTube channel: