News
Over eight million cigarettes seized at Belfast Docks
Date Posted: Tuesday 13 May 2008
Following the seizure yesterday (Monay) of over eight million cigarettes by the UK Border Agency (UKBA), officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are today conducting investigations to determine if they are counterfeit. The Regal King Size cigarettes have an estimated retail value of £2.4 million, with a potential duty evasion of £1.8 million.
John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said: “Tobacco smuggling undermines public health by creating a cheap and unregulated supply, operated by and for the benefit of criminals. Most smokers buying cheap cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco are unlikely to realise they may be buying counterfeit tobacco products which provide a whole new added set of risks to smokers.
“This is not a victimless crime. The huge profits reaped from the sales of these cigarettes would have been ploughed straight back into the criminal underworld, feeding activities like drug dealing and fraud. Purchasing cheap cigarettes without the duty paid on them means trading with criminals, and undermining honest businesses.”
It is a criminal offence to buy or sell cigarettes or other tobacco products that do not bear fiscal markings and on which the proper excise duty has not been paid. Anyone with information about smuggled tobacco can contact HMRC’s hotline on 0800 595000.
Maggie Eyden, Interim Lead Official for UKBA in Northern Ireland added:
“This shows UKBA and HMRC’s commitment to stamping out the scourge that is cigarette smuggling. Tobacco smuggling is operated by and for the benefit of criminals who don’t care who they sell to – and that includes children.
“This seizure is the second at Belfast in recent weeks. Our actions on these two occasions have resulted in over 14 million cigarettes being taken out of the illicit trade and off the streets of Northern Ireland .”
Notes to editors
- The UK Border Agency began operation on 3 April 2008 and was officially launched by the Home Secretary atGatwick 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.
- The total number of cigarettes seized was 8.69 million.
- Photographs are available.
