Skopje, 22 August 2024 (MIA) — Customs agents over the past few days have prevented several attempts of smuggling counterfeit designer goods including clothes, bags, and watches as well as undeclared cigarettes and foreign currency.

"A total of 10,618 pieces were seized during several customs checks, including clothes and bags branded as Louis Vuitton, Armani, and Gucci, and Rolex watches," a press release from the Customs Administration said.

Charges have been filed and a procedure started for violating intellectual property rights, the release said.

Customs officers at the Bogorodica border crossing seized a total of 37,200 cigarettes or 186 cartons of cigarettes.

The cigarettes had been allegedly bought at the duty free shop, the officers were told. If they had smuggled the cigarettes and put them on the market, the smugglers would have avoided paying import taxes of Mden 319,177, the release adds.

Customs agents also prevented an attempt by a Macedonian national to illegally take out of the country EUR 18,450 euros and USD 7,000 via the Tabanovce border crossing.

In line with the law, the person, who carried a total of EUR 20,450 and USD 7,000, was allowed to keep EUR 2,000. The rest of the money was confiscated, the release says.

A charge of foreign exchange offense has been filed against the person. mr/