Over $185,544 in excise-free tobacco seized in March - Finance Ministry Investigation Service

The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia seized over ₾500,000 ($185,544) worth of excise-free tobacco throughout the country in March, the body said in its update of statistics on Wednesday.

The Service said its investigators had identified 20 cases of illegal storage, transportation and sale of excise-free tobacco products throughout the month, with 28 individuals charged and 11 arrested.

A total of 99,161 cigarette packages were seized from the individuals identified in the offences.

The crimes are punishable by six to eight years in prison.