How many cigarettes were found in the van?

Customs officers found exactly 16,100 cigarettes hidden in the van's factory cavities.

Where were the cigarettes hidden?

They were distributed within the factory cavities that are an integral part of the vehicle's bodywork, which are not visible during a routine external inspection.

What was the fine imposed on the driver?

The driver was issued and paid a fine of €19,000.

At which border crossing did the incident occur?

The incident occurred at the Vinjani Gornji border crossing and is related to the Vinjani Donji area.

Croatia

Hidden in the Bodywork: Customs Officers Discover 16,100 Cigarettes

A.G. · Prije 20h | 2 min

A detailed inspection at the Vinjani Gornji border crossing uncovered a secret cargo distributed in the vehicle's factory cavities, and the driver was fined €19,000.

Summary

Customs officers at the Vinjani Gornji crossing found 16,100 undeclared cigarettes hidden in the factory cavities of a van.
The cigarettes were concealed in bodywork parts not visible during a standard external inspection.
The driver was issued and paid a fine of €19,000 on the spot.
The case is another example of smuggling excise goods using the vehicle's structural cavities.

Make 5MIN.hr a preferred source

Customs officers at the Vinjani Gornji border crossing thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of tobacco products. During a thorough inspection of a van on August 11, 2026, they discovered as many as 16,100 undeclared cigarettes.

Cargo Hidden in the Vehicle's Structure

According to information from the Customs Administration, the cigarettes were distributed within the factory cavities that are an integral part of the van's bodywork. These spaces are not visible during a routine external inspection, making the concealment less noticeable without a detailed check and the expertise of customs officers.

In a photo released by the Customs Administration, boxes that were seized and removed from the vehicle can be seen. This case pertains to the Vinjani Donji area, and the manner in which the goods were hidden indicates an attempt to use parts of the vehicle not intended for transporting cargo.

Why Cigarettes Are Under Special Surveillance

Cigarettes are excise goods, so their transport, import, and sale are governed by special regulations. When such goods are transported without declaration, it can lead to tax and fee evasion, but it can also create opportunities for illegal sales outside controlled trade channels.

Therefore, customs checks are not limited to inspecting the trunk. If officers assess that there is a risk of hidden goods, they inspect the undercarriage, interior panels, doors, engine compartment, and other parts of the vehicle. Technical equipment, experience from previous cases, and observed irregularities on the vehicle can help in detecting such hidden cargo.

Hefty Fine for the Driver

The van driver was issued and paid a fine of €19,000. In such situations, the competent authorities conduct procedures in accordance with customs and excise laws, and further actions depend on the established facts and the responsibility of the individuals involved.

This discovery highlights the importance of thorough inspections, even when there is no visible cargo at first glance. Specially modified spaces, double bulkheads, and existing cavities in vehicles are often used to hide goods from view.