Investigators say the group put at least 1.7 tonnes of precious-metal products outside Poland’s tax system. Polish police and tax authorities have detained two people in an investigation into an organized criminal group suspected of trading at least 1.7 tonnes of precious-metal products outside the tax system. The group is suspected of operating since 2017 and of exposing the state treasury to losses of around PLN 45 million (€10.4 million), Poland’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBŚP) said on Wednesday. During searches carried out in July, officers seized 11 kg of gold and 6.5 kg of silver, along with cash in various currencies worth more than PLN 80,000 (€18,400) in total. The two suspects were charged with offenses including money laundering and fiscal crimes. Four other suspects were detained in the same investigation last year, including one person wanted under an arrest warrant. At that time, investigators seized 28 kg of gold, 33 kg of silver and €49,000 in cash. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that further people potentially linked to the scheme are being identified. The investigation is being overseen by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszów, southeastern Poland.
