The Traffic Routes Control Unit of the Darmstadt Main Customs Office checked numerous parcels of a mail-order business sent from Spain to Germany last week.[1] Officers used a mobile X-ray unit to examine the parcels in a targeted way.[1] All of the checked consignments came from Spain and were destined for Germany.[2]

The officers came across a large number of prohibited or improperly declared goods.[1] Among them were several kilograms of marijuana or hashish, as well as shisha tobacco and a firearm, the officers said.[3] The narcotic was often present in comparatively large quantities within the individual parcels.[1] The firearm was a hunting rifle suitable for hunting medium-sized game.[1] Cross-border shipment and import of firearms require special permits and import documents.[1] In this case those documents could not be produced.[1] Although cannabis has been partly legalised in Germany, imports from abroad remain generally prohibited, so the rules do not allow cross-border shipment or import of cannabis.[3]

Customs spokeswoman Tanja Ackermann said every find counts and that it is customs’ duty to protect the public and consistently stop illegal flows of goods.[1] In all cases the authorities opened criminal or administrative-offence proceedings.[1] The goods found were seized and are being legally assessed in the course of further investigations.[1] Those investigations are still ongoing.[2]