Head of Tax and Customs Police explains border rules — from a pack of cigarettes to criminal liability over a single pill

Latvia's Tax and Customs Police (NMP) is explaining to the public what rules travelers must follow when crossing the Latvian border to avoid breaking the law. The agency's head, Andrejs Grišins, addressed the topic in an interview.

Grišins has led the NMP since the start of this year; before that he served as deputy head of the State Police. The NMP was formed by taking over the functions and tasks previously carried out by the State Revenue Service's (VID) Tax and Customs Police department.

Three main areas of work

The agency focuses on three main directions: combating violations of international sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus, fighting smuggling, and countering tax evasion.

From administrative fines to criminal liability

According to Grišins, even a minor infraction can carry serious consequences. For example, if a pack of cigarettes of Russian or Belarusian origin is found in a traveler's pocket, this can result in an administrative penalty. Meanwhile, detecting even a single prohibited sleeping pill can lead to criminal liability.

The interview also promises to cover what people attempt to bring into and out of Latvia, what happens to confiscated goods, how sanctions are being circumvented, how many cigarettes may legally be brought in from Russia and Belarus, and what other goods are banned from import.