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24/09/2003
Customs swoop nets smuggled tobacco and counterfeit goods
Customs officers have seized cigarettes, tobacco and counterfeit DVDs and videos during operations at commercial premises in Portadown and Belfast.
During searches of 17 business premises in east Belfast yesterday, Customs seized 8,360 smuggled cigarettes, 11.5 kilos of hand rolling tobacco and 78 counterfeit DVDs and videos. These follow the seizure of over 10,000 smuggled cigarettes and 1.1 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco during searches in Portadown carried out on Friday 19th September.
Customs anti-smuggling manager Angela Fulton said: "The illegal trade in tobacco products means less money for hospitals and schools - it takes revenue away from local communities and into the hands of a few criminals.
"The sale of illegal tobacco is not about providing a service; it's about profits for a few individuals, who create an unfair market where legitimate businesses find it increasingly difficult to compete."
Penalties for tobacco smuggling include: seizure of all goods and vehicles used, heavy fines, loss of lottery terminal and/or liquor licence and up to seven years in jail.
Each packet of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco for sale in the UK must carry the words "UK DUTY PAID" in a rectangular box printed indelibly on the packet. It is an offence to possess, sell, deal, transport or store cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco without the pack mark or for premises to be used for the sale of unmarked products.
(gmcg)
During searches of 17 business premises in east Belfast yesterday, Customs seized 8,360 smuggled cigarettes, 11.5 kilos of hand rolling tobacco and 78 counterfeit DVDs and videos. These follow the seizure of over 10,000 smuggled cigarettes and 1.1 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco during searches in Portadown carried out on Friday 19th September.
Customs anti-smuggling manager Angela Fulton said: "The illegal trade in tobacco products means less money for hospitals and schools - it takes revenue away from local communities and into the hands of a few criminals.
"The sale of illegal tobacco is not about providing a service; it's about profits for a few individuals, who create an unfair market where legitimate businesses find it increasingly difficult to compete."
Penalties for tobacco smuggling include: seizure of all goods and vehicles used, heavy fines, loss of lottery terminal and/or liquor licence and up to seven years in jail.
Each packet of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco for sale in the UK must carry the words "UK DUTY PAID" in a rectangular box printed indelibly on the packet. It is an offence to possess, sell, deal, transport or store cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco without the pack mark or for premises to be used for the sale of unmarked products.
(gmcg)
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