Wave of Arrests Across the Country: Spectacular Chases and Millions of Cigarettes

The last 24 hours have seen an intensification of actions by Polish uniformed services on multiple fronts in the fight against crime. The most spectacular operation took place in Gdynia, where officers from the Pomeranian Customs and Tax Office and the CBŚP seized a container in which, instead of the declared hydraulic valves, there were nearly 11 million illegal cigarettes. The estimated market value of the goods exceeds 20 million złoty, constituting one of the services' greatest successes in recent months. Smugglers attempted to introduce goods into the European Union market, bypassing customs and excise duties. A dangerous incident occurred in Warsaw's Grochów district, during which police officers were forced to use firearms. A chase after a vehicle whose driver failed to stop for inspection ended with warning shots being fired and the suspects being successfully detained. Similar dramatic scenes unfolded on the highway leading to Pomerania, where officers removed from traffic a group involved in the distribution of drugs. Among those apprehended was a 19-year-old found with half a kilogram of illegal substances. The services emphasize their determination to combat organized criminal groups. Due to its geographical location, Poland has for years been a key section of the European Union's eastern border, through which routes for smuggling excise goods from East to West pass.Simultaneously, law enforcement agencies recorded a wave of egregious violations of road safety. The region also recorded numerous traffic offenses, including reckless driving by motorcyclists, which is the subject of ongoing police controls as part of improving safety. There was no shortage of bizarre incidents, such as a chase after a tractor that ended with the vehicle driving into a river, or the detention of a drunk truck driver traveling from Germany to Poland. Police supervision was applied to an officer from Wołów suspected of a sexual offense, showing that the services do not shy away from holding their own ranks accountable. These actions are part of a broad strategy to improve public safety. „To nie były zawory. Papierosy za prawie 20 milionów złotych w rękach pomorskich celników.” (Those weren't valves. Cigarettes worth almost 20 million złoty in the hands of Pomeranian customs officers.) — Pomeranian Customs and Tax Office

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media may place greater emphasis on abuses within the police (the case from Wołów). Conservative media will highlight the effectiveness of the services in protecting borders and fighting smuggling.