- The couple is charged with importing alcohol and four men are charged with having bought the alcohol.

One of the buyers has bought more than the others, says chamber prosecutor Jenny Olovsson at Södra Skåne's prosecutor's chamber, to SVT Nyheter Skåne.

The couple suspected of aggravated smuggling were arrested in February 2020. The smuggling must have taken place on 111 occasions between Germany and Malmö between January 2018 and January 2020.

In total, the man and woman are suspected of having introduced alcoholic beverages in the form of beer, wine and spirits corresponding to 7,970 liters of spirits to Sweden.

The suspect couple denies the allegations.

So do three of the other men.

A 57-year-old admits crime.

Conducted reconnaissance

Swedish customs have received help from German customs to secure the traces left by the suspected perpetrators.

- Scouting is part of our methods.

Another part is to collect export declarations and receipts.

There have been some inspections at Lernacken and since then we have scouted and seen that they sold the goods on, says Oscar Lindvall, deputy unit manager at the control unit south of the Swedish Customs.

Oscar Lindvall, Deputy Head of Unit at Control Unit South at the Swedish Customs.

Photo: Swedish Customs

According to the Swedish Customs, there are large profit margins for those who live in southern Sweden in this type of criminal activity.

- On average, a trip lasts 7-8 hours.

You just have time to go down to Germany, shop and then you have time to return.

Characteristic is that you go often, on very many occasions and do not bring as much alcohol at a time, says chamber prosecutor Jenny Olovsson.

The husband had sick pay

According to the Swedish Customs' Oscar Lindvall, a majority of those suspected of alcohol smuggling often have a benefit from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.

- In this case, the accused husband has had sick pay from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency during the time he and his wife made these suspected smuggling trips.

It will now also be investigated, says Oscar Lindvall.