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February 9, 2010
North Korean diplomats' smuggling scheme up in smoke
Published: 20 Nov 09 11:49 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23384/20091120/
Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation
Two North Korean diplomats are being held on suspicion of trying to smuggle 230,000 cigarettes from Russia into Sweden.
- Eriksson turns down North Korea offer: report (14 Oct 09)
- North Korea declares Sweden an enemy (19 Aug 08)
- Diplomat caught in Stockholm sex swoop (29 Sep 05)
“They drove from Russia to Helsinki and had taken a ferry across from there," Monika Magnusson, spokesperson for Swedish Customs (Tullverket), told newspaper Expressen.
A huge stash of cigarettes was found stuffed between passenger seats as well as in the boot of the vehicle.
As there was evidence to show that the tobacco booty has been purchased in Russia, customs officers were immediately able to arrest both parties who unsuccessfully tried to plead a case of diplomatic immunity.
According to newspaper Expressen, the diplomats are based in Russia and the North Korean embassy in Stockholm denies all knowledge of the incident.
The Swedish foreign ministry admits it is aware that arrests have been made but has refused to make any further comment on the case.
The car and its contents have been seized and police have conducted a first round of questioning but have not been able to establish where the diplomats were intending to travel with the cigarettes.
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I was under the impression you could haul unlimted amounts of cocaine, dead hookers and other contraband through Arlanda or any ferry terminal given the non-existant security.
I think we can assume that the diplomats were suspected of carrying something far more important, and that this was merely a smoke-screen to facilitate the arrests....
@Bushido: 230,000 cigarettes = 1150 cartons or 11500 packs of smoke. Still, you may be correct in your assumption.
The article states the diplomats were in a "private car" and had the smokes stashed in the boot and between the passenger seats. So it still doesn't sound like they were trying to hide the 'contraband' that much.
Interesting that the Cold War has never gone away, but simply takes on a different face over time.....