Consumer Products and Services – European Sanctions Enforcement

April 2, 2025 by Mark Handley

Germany – arrests, raids and asset seizures in two Russian car export investigations

The Customs Office in Frankfurt am Main has issued a press release relating to actions taken in two ongoing investigations.

The first case, which is being conducted by the Darmstadt Prosecutor’s Office, saw raids in Offenbach, Main-Taunus, Hochtaunus and Main-Kinzig under 24 different warrants. There are two defendants aged 58 and 81, and they are suspected of exporting cars to Russia in breach of sanctions as well as other offences. Cars, cash, coins, watches and real estate were seized with a value of €7.8 million.

The second case arose from a suspicious activity report, and is being conducted by the Frankfurt am Main Prosecutor’s Office. A 55-year old is suspected of having exported more than 150 cars to Russia in breach of sanctions. Raids were carried out in the district of Offenbach with evidence and assets seized. The press release states that the value of seized assets was €6.9 million.

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 by Mark Handley

Germany – raids and arrests for suspected luxury car exports to Russia

It is being reported (here and here) that authorities in Berlin and Bavaria have conducted raids on five premises and arrested three individuals for the suspected export of nearly 200 luxury cars to Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions.

The value of the cars is reported to be approximately €21 million, and they were exported via third countries such as Belarus, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025 by Mark Handley

Estonia – 83 criminal prosecutions for Russian trade sanctions violations since 2024

It has been reported that during 2024 Estonia’s Internal Security Service commenced 71 criminal cases in relation to suspected trade with Russia in breach of the EU’s sanctions, and has commenced another 12 already during 2025. These cases are said to be for the more serious, intentional or repeat offenders.

The same report note that Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board are currently identifying an average of 12 sanctions violations per day predominantly by individuals attempted to take cash or luxury goods into Russia. This is reported to be down from a previous average of 22 violations per day.

With all people crossing the border being subject to inspection, first time offenders are required to either turn back and not cross, or to accept confiscation of the goods/items and continue the journey.

January 23, 2025 by Mark Handley

Germany – raids and arrests of suspected exporters of luxury cars to Russia and Belarus

It is being reported that on 16 January raids were carried out at six addressed in Ludwigshafen, Schifferstadt and Mannheim and a 53-year old was arrested on suspicion of exporting over 150 luxury cars to Russia and Belarus valued at more than €7,500,000.

Cash and cars valued at more than €500,000 were seized and accounts frozen.

The same article reports on another case from November 2024 (also reported here), in which a 26-year old was arrested and detained on suspicion of exporting 30 luxury cars to Russia valued at around €3,500,000.

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024 by Mark Handley

United Kingdom – HMRC drops investigation into alleged perfume exports to Russia

Further to our earlier post about an HMRC criminal investigation into the alleged export of luxury perfume to Russia, it is now being reported by the BBC that the investigation has been dropped.

The report does not explain the rationale for discontinuing the investigation, but notes the the primary individual involved, a Mr Crisp, had been recorded on video by a private investigator who asked “How’s your Russian market”, to which the recorded response was “We’re doing really well… we ignore government edicts”.

Another director of the company compiled evidence of the alleged sanction breaches, and provided that to the authorities.

That example of self-reporting and co-operation may well explain why the company was not itself prosecuted. It is unclear why the director Mr Crisp has not been pursued. The investigation first came to light after a civil court ruled there was “strong prima facie evidential basis for the allegations” and ordered the removal of Mr Crisp from his position as director of the company.

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – three individuals in custody for exporting nearly 100 cars to Russia in breach of sanctions

It is being reported that the Mannheim Public Prosecutor’s Office has three people in custody on suspicion of exporting luxury cars to Russia in breach of EU sanctions.

A car manufacturer made a suspicious activity report regarding the exporter, which led to the investigation.

The three individuals are a married couple who run two car dealerships and a third person who was an employee.

It is alleged that they exported nearly 100 cars to Russia via third countries with a total value of nearly €15 million.

As part of the raids, the prosecutors also secured the freezing of €1.3 million.

November 21, 2024April 3, 2025 by Mark Handley

Germany – prosecution of two individuals for attempted exports of luxury goods

The Stuttgart Customs Investigation Office has commenced criminal proceedings against two women aged 64 and 25 for suspected attempts to export luxury goods to Russia.

The women were stopped at Stuttgart Airport on their way to Russia and had €114,000 worth of luxury goods in their luggage.

Further investigation revealed that the two had shipped 7 consignments of goods to Russia, and one of those was stopped with a further €12,000 worth of luxury goods.

The goods have been seized and the women were required to agree to a bond of €105,000 before being allowed to continue their travel.

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – raids related to luxury car exports of €10m to Russia

German Customs has issued a press release (actually dated 18 September but not spotted until now) reporting on an investigation and raids of several premises in the Aschaffenburg area.

The investigation by Essen Customs Investigation Office and the Würzburg Public Prosecutor’s Office relates to alleged exports of luxury cars to Russia valued at over €10 million.

As part of the raids evidence was collected, while cars valued at over €1.5m and bank accounts with over €1m were also seized.

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024 by Mark Handley

Germany – raids and investigation relating to sanctioned car exports

It is being reported (here and here) that the German authorities have conducted raids on business and residential premises in the town of Königswinter in relation to a criminal investigation into the alleged exports of luxury cars to Russia shipped through third countries.

The raids are said to have taken place in late September and a criminal case has been opened. Cars, cash and evidence were all seized as part of the raids.

The sales are alleged to have totalled more than €4 million.

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 by Mark Handley

Estonia – trade sanctions confiscations and investigations by Customs

Details of confiscations conducted by Estonia’s Customs office have been reported including the confiscation of goods being exported to Russia at border crossings in breach of EU sanctions. The confiscations include €3,275,295 in cash, electronics parts and equipment, a Starlink antenna, drones, night vision goggles, firearms and ammunition, as well as consumer goods such as jewelry, wine, and diving equipment.

It is also being reported that some of the confiscations are now the subject of ongoing investigations.