381 packs of smuggled cigarettes seized at Iraq's Zerbatiye border crossing

ZERBATIYE, Iraq — Customs authorities at the Zerbatiye border crossing in eastern Iraq seized 381 packs of smuggled cigarettes hidden inside a passenger bus, the crossing's directorate said on Saturday. Border protection officers discovered the cigarettes concealed under passenger seats during an inspection of the bus, which was transporting travelers through the crossing. The directorate said the cigarettes carried various brand names and had been hidden in an attempt to smuggle them across the border. The seizure was carried out by the crossing's protective forces as part of routine customs inspection procedures. Officials said a legal record was prepared in connection with the incident and that the suspect along with the confiscated goods were referred to the Zerbatiye Customs Police Center. Authorities added that the required legal proceedings had been initiated against those involved. The directorate said the smuggling attempt was foiled through the work of the crossing's border protection personnel. No further details on the suspect's identity or nationality were immediately available.