Based on information from previous investigations, the vehicles were routed regularly via a ferry connection from Tunisia to France into the EU. Various drivers are said to have subsequently brought the cars to Bonn. There they were sold to the car dealers who are under investigation. The drivers of the cars, which had Libyan license plates, said they were on vacation or a business trip.

Leading the search operation were customs officials responsible for tax crimes in the state of NRW from the bureau in Essen, with help from officials in the Aachen, Duisburg and Cologne offices.

Customs officers searched the premises of a car dealership at the corner of Königswinterer Straße and Röhfeldstraße in Beuel on Wednesday. Apparently, bags with license plates were confiscated. The customs officials inspected high-end vehicles on the property and checked chassis numbers.

At the location in Beuel, customs authorities closed down the used car dealership while it completed its search until late in the afternoon on Wednesday. The owner of the used car dealership was not reachable for comment in person or by telephone. An official said there was a suspicion of commercial tax evasion in the case. He was referring to evasion of customs duties and import sales taxes. All searches ordered by the prosecution were based on a preliminary investigation against several people.

(Origuinal text: kph / Translation: ck)