The Brussels West police zone arrested a man last Sunday for possessing and attempting to sell a significant quantity of counterfeit cigarettes.
According to the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, the man was found with a total of 533 packs of various brands.
The Prosecutor’s Office stated that around 11:30 on 17 November, a police patrol noticed two individuals in Rue Heyvaert engaging in a heated discussion and exchanging money.
The Heyvaert district is known for illegal street sales, prompting police officers to check the individuals. One of the men fled upon seeing the police, but the second suspect was apprehended near two large bags.
As well as discovering the 533 packs of cigarettes of Marlboro Red, Marlboro Gold, and Rothmans brands in the bags, the police found €744 on the man.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the cigarettes were counterfeit. The suspect was taken to the police station for a thorough search and questioning, where it was revealed he was residing irregularly in the country. He was released and ordered to leave the country.
