German customs officers seized a truck at the Czech border carrying a large shipment of smuggled chocolate. Inside, they discovered nearly 13,000 bars of the popular Dubai treat, along with counterfeit branded goods, including clothing, watches, and shoes.
According to the Dresden Main Customs Office, the truck driver, a Swedish citizen, claimed that the goods were loaded in Bulgaria. However, documents found in his cabin confirmed that the products were purchased in Turkey. Customs officials estimated that if the goods had been imported legally, the driver would have had to pay around €10,000 in duties just for the chocolate alone.
In addition to the sweets, the truck was also carrying 650 packages of honey. As a result, multiple cases were opened against the driver on charges of tax evasion and violations of customs regulations.
Dubai chocolate, particularly with pistachio paste filling, has gained significant popularity in Europe in recent years. Due to high demand and limited supply, the price of a single bar can exceed €15, with long queues forming to purchase the sought-after delicacy.
