Main aim of the Investigation Service of Ministry of Finance of Georgia is to decrease number of financial and economic crimes in the country to the minimum.
Detecting and preventing smuggling on the state border of Georgia as well as illegal turnover of excisable goods without excise marks within the country is one of the priorities of the Service. Since 2017 for combating against above mentioned crimes – the Investigation Service sticks to specially designed action plan, which foresees intensive operative-searching and other investigative activities.
Due to the mentioned effective operational activities, detection of cigarettes without excise marks seized in 2017 had been increased significantly compared to 2016.
Recently, information was disseminated that in 2017 smuggling of cigarettes without excise marks in Georgia has increased 20 times.
Unambiguously, it has to be noted that the above mentioned information in not true and given statistics is a result of incorrect analysis because:
In 2016, 15 facts of storing, transportation and selling of cigarettes without excise marks (CCG, Art.200) and 3 facts of smuggling cigarettes without excise marks (CCG. Art. 214) were exposed on local market by the Investigation Service. Totally approximately 61 500 packs of cigarettes without excise marks had been seized.
In 2017, 64 facts of storing, transportation and selling of cigarettes without excise marks (CCG, Art.200) had been exposed on local market by the Investigation Service. Totally approximately 557 600 packs of cigarettes without excise marks had been seized.
Therefore, in 2017, 3.5(and not 20) times more above mentioned category (CCG Art. 200 and Art. 214) of crimes had been exposed compared to 2016. And number of cigarettes seized in 2017 is 9 times exceeding to the results of 2016.
Herewith, 300 000 packs of cigarettes from the total number seized in 2017 as a result of investigative activities, was a transit cargo imported by means of smuggling, seized on the territory of Georgia that were not destined for local market.
Also, it is especially important that Georgia fulfills international obligations, considering them the excise rates on tobacco products (filtered and non-filtered cigarettes) had been increased step by step.
According to the existing information, in 2017 consumption of tobacco (number of tobacco selling) is fallen with14%, compared to 2016, that is in full conformity with international practice.
Important increase of the state budget revenues also took place. In particular, in 2017 taxes collected as an excise for tobacco products had been increased by 23% compared to 2016. As a result of increasing of excise rates additionally Gel 123.7 million collected by the state budget, which is considered as significant growth.