SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Unusual Customs Seizure – One Ton of Waterpipe Tobacco

One million in cash and over a ton of waterpipe tobacco met the Customs Agency when they struck against a suspected address. The criminals want to make money – and what you can make money on, that's what they take in, says Erik Friberg, head of the Customs Agency's criminal department South.

» Published: December 09 2024

Unusual Customs Seizure – One Ton of Waterpipe Tobacco
Photo: Mikaela Landeström/TT

The shipment with waterpipe tobacco was identified at a postal terminal in Malmö on Friday, November 29. The shipment was monitored and the following Monday, Customs could strike against the company address that received the delivery.

The tobacco and the large sum of cash were seized, and three people were arrested.

Two of them are now detained, suspected of the crime. Since waterpipe tobacco itself is not illegal, but only needs to be taxed upon import, the crime classification is illegal transportation of taxable goods.

The two men are known to the police from before, according to prosecutor Sandra Helgadottir.

One of the men is also suspected of serious money laundering regarding the cash, she says.

Hand Grenades Thrown

Over the weekend, the case took another turn when three hand grenades were thrown at the company premises where the seizure was made.

At present, we do not know if it has to do with the import, the cash, or if it has no direct connection at all, except that it is the same address, says Sandra Helgadottir.

Alarming Development

The development worries Erik Friberg at Customs.

The connection to this hand grenade incident is alarming, that such elements exist even in this type of case and seizure, not just linked to large drug cases.

It is unusual for such large quantities of waterpipe tobacco to be seized.

The criminals want to make money – and what they can make money on, they take in. If there is a market or a customer base, they want to profit from it, so it's not really surprising, says Erik Friberg.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Young Man Detained After Suspected Bomb Found in Södertälje Villa

Young Man Detained After Suspected Bomb Found in Södertälje Villa

Five Hospitalized After Car Collision in Hällefors

Five Hospitalized After Car Collision in Hällefors

Teachers in Adult Education Feel Pressured to Inflate Grades

Teachers in Adult Education Feel Pressured to Inflate Grades

Goldfish Threaten Native Fish in Swedish Waters

Goldfish Threaten Native Fish in Swedish Waters

Oxygen Fluctuations May Have Spurred Evolutionary Leap 540 Million Years Ago

Oxygen Fluctuations May Have Spurred Evolutionary Leap 540 Million Years Ago

Sunny Sunday Ahead for Sweden with Mild Temperatures and Wind Warnings

Sunny Sunday Ahead for Sweden with Mild Temperatures and Wind Warnings

Three-Year-Old in Sweden Recovering After Balcony Fall

Three-Year-Old in Sweden Recovering After Balcony Fall

Influenza Cases Decline in Sweden as Peak Season Passes

Influenza Cases Decline in Sweden as Peak Season Passes

Join the Global Earth Hour Tonight to Highlight Climate Action

Join the Global Earth Hour Tonight to Highlight Climate Action

Liberals Push for Ban on Foreign Ownership of Swedish Private Schools

Liberals Push for Ban on Foreign Ownership of Swedish Private Schools

NSAIDs Show Effectiveness for Acute Back Pain, Study Finds

NSAIDs Show Effectiveness for Acute Back Pain, Study Finds

Västerås Ends Contract with Attendo Amid Fraud Investigation

Västerås Ends Contract with Attendo Amid Fraud Investigation

Explosion Rocks Residential Area in Norrköping, No Injuries Reported

Explosion Rocks Residential Area in Norrköping, No Injuries Reported

Suspected Object Closes E22 Near Malmö; Bomb Squad Investigates

Suspected Object Closes E22 Near Malmö; Bomb Squad Investigates

60 Telephone Poles Mysteriously Disappear in Sweden

60 Telephone Poles Mysteriously Disappear in Sweden

Child Seriously Injured After Falling from Fourth-Floor Balcony in Mölndal

Child Seriously Injured After Falling from Fourth-Floor Balcony in Mölndal

16-Year-Old Arrested in Connection to Skurup Murder Plot

16-Year-Old Arrested in Connection to Skurup Murder Plot

Mother Sentenced to Prison for Leaving Baby Alone to Party

Mother Sentenced to Prison for Leaving Baby Alone to Party

Swedish Court Convicts Man in 2018 Eskilstuna Shooting Cold Case

Swedish Court Convicts Man in 2018 Eskilstuna Shooting Cold Case

Court of Appeal Acquits Man of Murder, Upholds Rape Conviction

Court of Appeal Acquits Man of Murder, Upholds Rape Conviction

Two Charged in Borås Gang-Related Murder Case

Two Charged in Borås Gang-Related Murder Case

Suspected Dangerous Object Prompts Evacuation in Södertälje

Suspected Dangerous Object Prompts Evacuation in Södertälje

Koran Burner Murder Case: All Suspects Cleared, No Arrests Made

Koran Burner Murder Case: All Suspects Cleared, No Arrests Made

Abisko Avalanche Tragedy: Manslaughter Probe Targets Tour Operator

Abisko Avalanche Tragedy: Manslaughter Probe Targets Tour Operator

Woman in Her 30s Charged with Murdering Elderly Relative in Vadstena

Woman in Her 30s Charged with Murdering Elderly Relative in Vadstena

Condom Use Declines Among Nordic Youth, Report Finds

Condom Use Declines Among Nordic Youth, Report Finds

Fatal Fire in Jämtland Cottage: One Dead, Another Injured

Fatal Fire in Jämtland Cottage: One Dead, Another Injured

Heathrow Closure Disrupts Flights for Swedish Travelers

Heathrow Closure Disrupts Flights for Swedish Travelers

Sweden Tightens Citizenship Rules to Enhance Security

Sweden Tightens Citizenship Rules to Enhance Security

Man Sentenced for Smuggling Over 2 Million Cigarettes to Norway

Man Sentenced for Smuggling Over 2 Million Cigarettes to Norway

Swedish Police Face Million-Kronor Fine Over Rain Gear Purchase

Swedish Police Face Million-Kronor Fine Over Rain Gear Purchase

Sweden Halts Vehicle Inspections for Emergency Alarms Amid Network Changes

Sweden Halts Vehicle Inspections for Emergency Alarms Amid Network Changes

Kristersson Unaware of Deleted Email in Landerholm Case

Kristersson Unaware of Deleted Email in Landerholm Case

Mystery Deepens Over Trollhättan Neck Ring: Is It Really Gold?

Mystery Deepens Over Trollhättan Neck Ring: Is It Really Gold?

Swedish Agriculture Board Rethinks Controversial Animal Space Rules

Swedish Agriculture Board Rethinks Controversial Animal Space Rules

Missing Skiers Found After Avalanche Near Abisko National Park

Missing Skiers Found After Avalanche Near Abisko National Park

E6 Landslide Probe in Stenungsund Delayed Until Summer

E6 Landslide Probe in Stenungsund Delayed Until Summer

40 Suspects Tied to Malmö Prostitution Ring at Thai Massage Parlor

40 Suspects Tied to Malmö Prostitution Ring at Thai Massage Parlor

Swedish Climate Goals at Risk: Experts Criticize Kristersson's Leadership

Swedish Climate Goals at Risk: Experts Criticize Kristersson's Leadership

Sweden's Government Rejects Experts' Call for Higher Fuel Taxes

Sweden's Government Rejects Experts' Call for Higher Fuel Taxes