Overview

• Hamburg customs investigators and the Hannover public prosecutor’s office executed searches on July 16 at the dealer’s homes and business premises, seizing documents and several thousand euros in cash.
• The probe was triggered by a Financial Intelligence Unit alert from 2024 that flagged suspicious transactions tied to the suspect’s auto sales.
• Authorities allege the dealer declared €3.4 million in luxury vehicles for export to non-sanctioned countries before they were improperly registered in Russia.
• The suspect remains at large as the Zollfahndungsamt Hamburg continues the investigation on behalf of the Staatsanwaltschaft Hannover.
• Tino Igelmann, head of the German Customs Criminal Office, said enforcing EU luxury-goods export sanctions remains a top priority for customs authorities.