$55,561 in excise-free tobacco seized across Georgia in June

The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia seized over ₾155,000 ($55,561) worth of excise-free tobacco throughout the country in June, the body said in its update of statistics on Friday.

The Service said its investigators had identified 22 cases of illegal storage, transportation and sale of excise-free tobacco products throughout the month, with 24 individuals charged and 10 arrested.

A total of 29,918 cigarette packages were seized from the individuals identified in the offences.

The crime is punishable by six to eight years in prison.