Overview
- Prosecutors say the 34-year-old faces 117 counts of organized tax evasion for coordinating a 2016–17 scheme that masked 16 million liters of beer as German exports.
- Investigators allege he oversaw creation of fake receipts, freight documents and packing lists to evade higher French excise duties.
- By declaring shipments to Germany, the ring paid just €1.8 million in beer taxes instead of the €6.4 million owed in France under EU rules.
- Most of the fraudulently diverted beer was sold on black markets in France and the UK, where excise rates reach up to 103.57 cents per liter.
- The Hamburg Economic Criminal Chamber has scheduled 18 further hearings through November 12, 2025, to hear evidence and testimony.