News

Man arrested at Belfast Docks

Date Posted: Thursday 24 April 2008

In a joint operation with officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the newly formed UK Border Agency (UKBA) a 44 year old man has been arrested in connection with a seizure of cigarettes made at Belfast Docks last night (Tuesday).

Approximately six and a half million cigarettes have been seized and the man has been taken to Grosvenor Road Police Station for questioning.

Maggie Eyden, Interim Lead Official for UKBA in Northern Ireland said:

"UKBA and HMRC are committed to stamping out the problem of cigarette and tobacco smuggling across Northern Ireland in the interests of honest traders and public health.

"Tobacco smuggling undermines public health by creating a cheap and unregulated supply, operated by and for the benefit of criminals. They don't care who they sell their illicit goods to, or indeed if they are purchased by children.

John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC added:

"Smuggling is not an innocent or victimless form of crime, but one that encourages otherwise honest people to trade with criminals. These gangs are unlicensed and unregulated; they are not concerned with who buys their products. The huge profits they reap from cigarette sales are ploughed straight back into the criminal underworld, feeding activities like drug dealing and fraud."

"It is a criminal offence to buy or sell cigarettes or other tobacco products which do not bear fiscal markings and on which the proper excise duty has not been paid. Therefore I would encourage members of the public who know of any suspicious activity around selling duty free cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco to contact our hotline on 0800 595000. Help to stop the smugglers, counterfeiters and fraudsters; create a level playing field for all local businesses and help stop criminal profits."
HMRC Investigations are continuing.

Notes to editors
1. The UK Border Agency began operation on 3 April 2008 and was officially launched by the Home Secretary at Gatwick Airport. Its formation was announced in November 2007 (Home Office Press Notice no. 178/2007). The Interim Lead Official for UK/BA in Northern Ireland is Maggie Eyden.

2. Photographs are available.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
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Avril Clydesdale
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E-mail: avril.clydesdale@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
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www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk