Unscrupulous sale of lubricating oil marketed as diesel fuel by ZOLL-M.
In a significant development, over 300 customs investigators from various offices across Germany conducted nationwide raids on 32 locations on November 14, 2024. The operation, led by the Customs Investigation Office Munich, was acting on behalf of the Hof Public Prosecutor's Office.
The raids were due to suspicions of large-scale smuggling of untaxed oil from Eastern Europe. It is suspected that freight papers and hazard warning signs may have been altered to diesel fuel during the journey. The preliminary estimated tax loss (energy tax) is around 18 million euros, with an additional 3.6 million euros suspected of VAT evasion.
During the raids, customs investigators secured extensive evidence, including business documents, written records, notebooks, tablet PCs, mobile phones, over 30,000 euros in cash, and 12,500 euros in counterfeit money. Companies from Hamburg, Amberg, Falkensee, and Berlin appeared as suppliers or invoice issuers of the smuggled oil.
Customs officers from Frankfurt searched the areas the suspect had visited during the flight. The Hof Public Prosecutor's Office took over the on-site execution of the measures with two public prosecutors. The Upper Franconian businessman is also suspected of selling the untaxed diesel fuel through company-owned gas stations in the Hof district and Vogtland district to end consumers.
Approximately 150,000 liters of diesel fuel from the five transports were secured by customs officers. Five Polish tanker trucks loaded with diesel fuel were en route to the company's premises during the raids. The Upper Franconian company distributed the diesel fuel via its own tanker trucks to a large number of recipients nationwide.
Six arrest warrants were executed against members of groups suspected of the smuggling. The forces also seized 15 tank vehicles of different sizes, 6 trucks, 6 trailers, and 10 passenger cars, and secured the contents of the storage tanks at seven gas stations by sealing them. A tax evasion procedure was initiated against the drivers on the spot.
Further details cannot be disclosed for investigative tactical and personality rights reasons, as well as due to tax secrecy. The Education and Science Center of the Federal Customs Administration and forces from several main customs offices supported the operation. Tax investigation offices in several cities also participated in the searches.
Dr. Tino Igelmann, head of the Zollkriminalamt in Cologne, commented on the investigations, stating, "This operation highlights the dedication of our customs investigators in protecting the integrity of our tax system and ensuring fair competition for businesses."
Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Andreas Cantzler, Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor, Economic Crime Department, Public Prosecutor's Office Hof. The procedure for suspected tax evasion in particularly serious cases or commercial tax fraud is ongoing.
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