Defense in Customs Criminal Law: Your Attorney for Proceedings Before the Essen Customs Investigation Office

If you or your company is under scrutiny by customs authorities, swift and strategic action is crucial.‍

The Current Wave of Investigations: Why Action Must Be Taken Now

Since the expansion of EU sanctions against Russia, customs investigation offices such as the one in Essen have been conducting a large number of investigations. The authorities are taking strict action, making a public impact, and coordinating their efforts internationally. Two recent cases illustrate the enormous scope of these efforts:

1. 5 Years in Prison for Car Dealer: The Marburg Regional Court sentenced a car dealer to five years in prison and confiscated assets totaling five million euros. The charge: 71 vehicles were allegedly exported in violation of the embargo on Russia.
2. Investigation into Dual-Use Goods: The Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating a network alleged to have supplied technical components worth 30 million euros to Russian defense companies—including everyday industrial parts such as ball bearings and roller bearings.

These examples show that the authorities aim to crack down with the utmost severity. ‍

Customs Search: A Real-Life Scenario for Every Business‍

Almost every major investigation into violations of the AWG results in a search. In the early morning hours, customs officials show up at your door and search your business and private premises.

Their goal: to secure all potential evidence. They take an extremely broad approach to this:

• Seizure of servers, laptops, and cell phones
• Mirroring the Entire IT Infrastructure
• Taking Accounting Records, Contracts, and Correspondence with You

These measures can bring business operations to a complete standstill and often lead to further suspicions as a result of chance discoveries.

Why Early and Specialized Defense Is Crucial Right Now

The first few hours after it becomes known that an investigation has been opened are the most critical. A specialized defense team takes immediate action to prevent irreversible damage.

• Defense Against Seizures: We review the legality of the search and secure the immediate return of important equipment and data.
• Protection Against Asset Freeze: We review and challenge requests to freeze accounts and seize assets in order to safeguard your financial freedom.
• Avoiding an Arrest Warrant: By taking proactive steps and communicating with the district attorney’s office, we minimize the risk of pretrial detention.
• Managing Investigations: We take corrective action early on, before investigators’ misinterpretations become entrenched in the case file.
• Protecting Your Reputation: We handle—as needed—sensitive communications with banks and business partners to maintain trust in your company.

The goal of our defense is clear: We work to refute the allegations as early as the investigative stage and to have the case dismissed. We protect you from unjustified criminal and financial consequences.

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