A total of 16.2 million contraband Russia-made cigarettes, largest illegal batch ever, were arrested by the Latvian State Revenues Service 13 July 2006 at the warehouse of a local enterprise.

The shipment was comprised of Saint George, Leningrad, Prima Nevo and L&M, all having Russian banderoles. The seized batch is reported to have an estimated value of LVL 120,000 (Euro 170,000). Two people were arrested, legal proceedings opened against them. Only last May, SRS withdrew two big shipments of illegally imported cigarettes, 8.8 million pieces Superkings and 10 million pieces Marlboro. (vt)