A resident of Modi'in Illit was arrested today (Thursday) by the Tax Authority on suspicion of attempting to smuggle into Israel approximately 207,200 electronic cigarettes and another 95 liters of liquid for filling electronic cigarettes, without paying purchase tax and VAT on them.
In addition, he is suspected of attempting to import Taser and pepper spray devices into Israel, which are prohibited from import because they are considered weapons.
According to suspicion, the arrested suspect is the actual owner and manager of a company that imports lighting fixtures, through which the suspect attempted to smuggle the goods into Israel.
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In recent days, four containers in the company's name that arrived at the port of Ashdod were inspected and it was declared that they contained LED lighting fixtures.
During the inspection, the electronic cigarettes and weapons were discovered, disguised inside the containers.
According to estimates, the value of the tax on e-cigarettes in containers amounts to more than 36 million shekels.
The Tax Authority notes that officially the company is registered in the name of a dummy - a Haredi yeshiva student residing in Modi'in Illit. However, the Authority claims that this is a fictitious registration intended to obscure the identity of the suspect who was arrested as the owner of the company and the alleged smuggler.
The suspect was released under restrictive conditions and his investigation continues.
