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A Russian woman returning from Varadero was arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow after a shipment of Cuban cigars worth over one million rubles, approximately 12,600 dollars, was discovered in her luggage.
The detainee was transporting 75 units of the brand “Cohiba Espléndidos,” one of the most sought-after cigars in the market, without declaring them to the customs authorities as required by current legislation.
The incident was reported last Thursday by the Federal Customs Service of Russia (FCS), whose press department explained that the discovery occurred during the inspection of the luggage of a tourist arriving from the popular Cuban destination.
The case has generated significant media attention in the Russian press.
According to statements from the passenger herself, the cigars were a gift from friends in Cuba and she claimed to be unaware of the requirement to declare this type of goods at customs.
However, the authorities have opened a criminal case for large-scale smuggling, a crime which in Russia can carry a penalty of up to five years in prison or a fine equivalent to the value of the seized tobacco.
The inspectors found three wooden boxes, each containing 25 cigars.
The total value was estimated by experts to be over one million rubles, which, according to the Russian Penal Code, automatically categorizes the case as large-scale illegal transportation of tobacco products.
Cuban tobacco: Recurring smuggling
The case of the Russian tourist adds to a series of similar incidents reported at Russian airports, particularly at Sheremetyevo, where authorities have ramped up security checks on passengers arriving from Cuba.
In May of this year, a 32-year-old Cuban citizen was intercepted with 369 untitled cigars, valued at nearly 1.5 million rubles.
The man claimed that he was carrying them for personal use and as gifts, but he was still charged with smuggling.
Another significant case occurred in December 2024, when two flight attendants from Rossiya Airlines were found with a total of 150 cigars, also purchased in Varadero.
Both faced charges for smuggling strategically important products after attempting to bring tobacco through the "green lane," designated for passengers with no goods to declare.
In June, a 60-year-old Cuban was detained with 150 cigars in his luggage, including two boxes of Cohíba and several bags with unbranded units.
Its value was estimated at nearly 400,000 rubles. Unable to speak Russian, the man could not justify his legal non-compliance, according to reports from the local press.
A growing black market
The Russian authorities remind that the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union allow the import of only up to 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes per person.
Any excess requires a written declaration and the payment of duties.
As of April 1, 2024, smuggling tobacco worth more than 100,000 rubles will be considered a criminal offense.
This constant flow of illegal cigars is partly explained by the high demand for Cuban cigars in the Russian black market.
In May 2022, customs police dismantled a trafficking network operating from Vnukovo Airport.
Two Russian citizens were arrested after over 6,500 Cuban cigars from brands such as Cohíba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and Partagás were found in their apartment, along with 260 bottles of Cuban rum without tax markings.
The estimated value of the lot exceeded 13 million rubles.
Russia does not require a visa for Cubans visiting the country for tourism for a period of up to 90 days. However, they must register electronically before traveling.
In reverse, Russians who visit Cuba often take advantage of their holidays to purchase typical products such as tobacco and rum.
Many are unaware of -or avoid- the customs restrictions upon their return.
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