Two senior customs officers were arrested in Ukraine and brought to Azerbaijan. They had fled the country to avoid investigation into illegal cigarette shipments at the Hovsan Maritime Customs Post.
According to the Anti-Corruption Directorate under the General Prosecutor's Office, Major Anvar Tagiyev and Major Tahir Tahiri first escaped to Iran, then to Ukraine, but were detained and extradited.
They were also dismissed from their positions on May 26, 2026 by order of Committee Chairman Shahin Bagirov. Several other officials have already been arrested in connection with the illegal cigarette haul at the Hovsan post.
