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28/11/2011
Other NI News In Brief
Customs Foil Tobacco Fraud
A man has been arrested and thousands of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, worth an estimated £9,313 in unpaid excise duty and VAT, have been seized by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). HMRC visited a shop in the Portadown area and seized 4,500 cigarettes and 9.2 kilos of tobacco, found in bags under the counter and in a storeroom attached to the shop. Further searches of two vehicles nearby uncovered over 30,200 cigarettes along with 1.5 kilos of hand rolling tobacco. John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation for HMRC said: "Tobacco smuggling is organised criminality on a global scale and robs the taxpayer of millions each year in unpaid duty and VAT. Anyone with information about the storage or sale of illegal tobacco in their area should contact the Customs' hotline on 0800 59 5000," he said, adding that the man is currently being questioned by HMRC. Investigations into the cigarettes, tobacco and two vehicles seized are continuing.
Nesbitt Swings In Behind Golfers
The Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson, Mike Nesbitt, has welcomed yet another boost for local tourism with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell's third place finish at the World Cup of golf in China. With 10 million Chinese taking holidays outside of China every year, the Strangford MLA says the focus will yield considerable dividends. "China is relatively under-developed in terms of golf courses, and a recent briefing from the Chinese Consul in Edinburgh confirmed that it unlikely to change, as they need all the land they have for agriculture. So, those newly rich Chinese who want to explore a passion for golf need to travel, and while the USA and Scotland are the obvious destinations, the continuing efforts of Rory and Graeme are fast making Northern Ireland a third destination of choice," he said, adding: "I look forward to helping connect the Darren Clarke School with the relevant Chinese authorities, and thank our World Cup heroes for their efforts this weekend."
Oil Payment Error Slammed
The Alliance Enterprise spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has backed the Consumer Council call for Maxol to pay any bank charges caused when it mistakenly charged customers double the amount they should have. Maxol have already said that they will refund its customers the amount that they mistakenly charged. "I was glad that they swiftly reacted to the mistake and agreed to refund any amount that they overcharged, but this overcharging could have resulted in overdraft bank fees being given to people through no fault of their own," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
A man has been arrested and thousands of illegal cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, worth an estimated £9,313 in unpaid excise duty and VAT, have been seized by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). HMRC visited a shop in the Portadown area and seized 4,500 cigarettes and 9.2 kilos of tobacco, found in bags under the counter and in a storeroom attached to the shop. Further searches of two vehicles nearby uncovered over 30,200 cigarettes along with 1.5 kilos of hand rolling tobacco. John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation for HMRC said: "Tobacco smuggling is organised criminality on a global scale and robs the taxpayer of millions each year in unpaid duty and VAT. Anyone with information about the storage or sale of illegal tobacco in their area should contact the Customs' hotline on 0800 59 5000," he said, adding that the man is currently being questioned by HMRC. Investigations into the cigarettes, tobacco and two vehicles seized are continuing.
Nesbitt Swings In Behind Golfers
The Ulster Unionist Economy spokesperson, Mike Nesbitt, has welcomed yet another boost for local tourism with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell's third place finish at the World Cup of golf in China. With 10 million Chinese taking holidays outside of China every year, the Strangford MLA says the focus will yield considerable dividends. "China is relatively under-developed in terms of golf courses, and a recent briefing from the Chinese Consul in Edinburgh confirmed that it unlikely to change, as they need all the land they have for agriculture. So, those newly rich Chinese who want to explore a passion for golf need to travel, and while the USA and Scotland are the obvious destinations, the continuing efforts of Rory and Graeme are fast making Northern Ireland a third destination of choice," he said, adding: "I look forward to helping connect the Darren Clarke School with the relevant Chinese authorities, and thank our World Cup heroes for their efforts this weekend."
Oil Payment Error Slammed
The Alliance Enterprise spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has backed the Consumer Council call for Maxol to pay any bank charges caused when it mistakenly charged customers double the amount they should have. Maxol have already said that they will refund its customers the amount that they mistakenly charged. "I was glad that they swiftly reacted to the mistake and agreed to refund any amount that they overcharged, but this overcharging could have resulted in overdraft bank fees being given to people through no fault of their own," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
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Ballymena Cigs Factory Accident Probed
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Ballymena Cigs Factory Accident Probed
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21 July 2023
New Powers To Tackle Illicit Tobacco Market
With more than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco seized in the first two years of Operation CeCe, new powers have been announced to help tackle the illicit tobacco market and reduce tobacco duty fraud.
New Powers To Tackle Illicit Tobacco Market
With more than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco seized in the first two years of Operation CeCe, new powers have been announced to help tackle the illicit tobacco market and reduce tobacco duty fraud.
01 October 2010
UCF Welcomes Tobacco Sales Move
A leading NI cancer charity has welcomed news that regulations to control point-of-sale advertising for tobacco products and ban sales from vending machines in Northern Ireland have eventually gone to public consultation.
UCF Welcomes Tobacco Sales Move
A leading NI cancer charity has welcomed news that regulations to control point-of-sale advertising for tobacco products and ban sales from vending machines in Northern Ireland have eventually gone to public consultation.
01 September 2008
No Smoke Without 'Fine': Tobacco Ban On Under 18s
It is now illegal in Northern Ireland to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. The change in the law came into effect today as part of the drive by NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to reduce the level of smoking in young people.
No Smoke Without 'Fine': Tobacco Ban On Under 18s
It is now illegal in Northern Ireland to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. The change in the law came into effect today as part of the drive by NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to reduce the level of smoking in young people.
27 October 2004
Sandy Row tobacco plant to close
Over 60 jobs look set to go with the closure of a pipe tobacco plant in south Belfast it emerged today. The owners of Murray and Sons said it was proposing to close its plant on Sandy Row with the loss of 63 jobs because of “a fall in global demand for pipe tobacco as well as rising costs”.
Sandy Row tobacco plant to close
Over 60 jobs look set to go with the closure of a pipe tobacco plant in south Belfast it emerged today. The owners of Murray and Sons said it was proposing to close its plant on Sandy Row with the loss of 63 jobs because of “a fall in global demand for pipe tobacco as well as rising costs”.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
