Customs Authority inspectors in the Eilat Airport terminal this week prevented smuggling 94 cartons of cigarettes by a couple carrying Russian passports.

The two arrived on a charter flight from Moscow and they attracted customs officials by their “odd behavior”. An inspection of their suitcases revealed they were trying to smuggle cigarettes to avoid about NIS 20,000 in tax fees.

The tourist told agents during questioning he simply was trying to earn some easy money along with his wife. They studied the matter on the internet and concluded that one can earn good money by smuggling cigarettes into Israel due to the high price of cigarettes in the country due to taxes.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Customs Authority)