Overview
- Customs officers searched seven residential and business sites in the Steinfurt district on Thursday with support from the Customs Criminal Office.
- Authorities accuse a 57-year-old father, his 27-year-old son and a 32-year-old nephew of routing sales through the father's German company and third countries.
- Investigators say at least 346 high-end vehicles worth roughly €20 million were exported to Russia between 2022 and 2024 despite sanctions.
- Extensive evidence was secured and asset freezes were imposed on bank accounts, real estate and several cars totaling about €20 million.
- The Zollfahndungsamt Essen is conducting the case for the Münster public prosecutor, and organized commercial violations under the Foreign Trade and Payments Act can carry prison terms of at least two years.