Court convicts 65 of car smuggling

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32450, 10 November 1970, Page 12

Court convicts 65 of car smuggling

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) PRAGUE, Nov. 7. The biggest mass trial held in Prague ended yesterday with the sentencing of 65 people, including 13 Jugoslavs, to prison terms, fines or probation for smuggling used cars, into Czechoslovakia, it was reported today. The Jugoslavs received prison sentences ranging from seven months to two years and a half and one Czechoslovak received four years at hard labour. Prague newspapers said today the Jugoslavs were buying used cars in West Germany or Sweden for export. When they reached the Czechoslovak border they said they were in transit, and thus avoided customs duties. Then they found Czechoslovak buyers and presented the cars to them as “gifts” receiving in return secret payments of up to $4286 for a used Mercedes bought in West Germany for $252.

The two-month trial involved 70 people of whom—five, including one Jugoslav —were acquitted. In some cases, cars were confiscated from their Czechoslovak buyers, the newspaper, “Mlada Fronta,” said.

“Mlada Fronta” added that the group was not an organised gang, and said that many of the Czechoslovaks were there simply because they wanted a car. The laxity of customs controls was a temptation to illegal purchases, it added.