The German investigative customs office in Essen conducted a large-scale operation in Hamburg targeting entities circumventing sanctions imposed on Russia. The director of three Hamburg-based companies is suspected of over 900 cases of embargo violations through indirect imports of goods with a total value exceeding 4 million euros. During last week's raids, investigators seized extensive evidence, luxury vehicles, and froze the million-euro assets of the suspected businessman.

Massive Scale of Violations

Investigators accuse the director of Hamburg-based companies of over 900 cases of violating trade regulations with Russia.

Million-Euro Asset Seizures

Assets worth 3.5 million euros were secured, along with two luxury limousines belonging to the suspected entity.

Value of Illegal Imports

The estimated value of imported goods despite existing sanctions exceeds the amount of 4 million euros.

Officers from the Essen Customs Investigation Office, acting on behalf of the Hamburg Public Prosecutor's Office, conducted an operation targeting the practice of circumventing embargo. The investigation focuses on the person of the managing director of three companies in the trade sector. According to investigators, this man is alleged to have committed over 900 regulatory violations by importing goods of Russian origin into Germany via circuitous routes, aiming to conceal their true source. The operation took place on February 18, although information about its course was released to the public with a delay due to the interests of the ongoing proceedings. During the operational activities, officers entered company headquarters and private premises, securing data storage devices and commercial documentation. As part of asset seizure, two luxury limousines were seized and financial assets amounting to 3.5 million euros were frozen. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European Union countries have successively expanded the list of goods subject to import and export bans to limit the Kremlin's financial resources allocated for waging war.Customs authorities have not yet disclosed the precise specifications of the goods involved in the illegal trade. It is only known that their total market value amounts to at least 4 million euros. In the operation, besides the Essen unit, officers from the Hamburg Main Customs Office and the Hamburg Customs Investigation Office participated. The Public Prosecutor's Office continues to analyze the seized digital storage media, which may lead to expanded charges or the detection of further entities involved in this trade scheme.