29/04/2025
£1.6m Illegal Cigarette Haul Seized In Camlough Operation
An investigation is underway following the seizure of 2.7 million illicit cigarettes in the Camlough area of Newry last Thursday, 24th April.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), carried out an operation that resulted in the discovery of the cigarettes, which are estimated to be worth £1.6 million in unpaid duty and taxes.
HMRC officers executed a search warrant at a premises in Camlough and uncovered the substantial quantity of non-UK duty paid cigarettes.
While no arrests have been made at this stage, HMRC has confirmed that enquiries into the illegal operation are continuing.
Dermot Clarke, Operational Lead for the Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC, emphasised the impact of such seizures. "This seizure demonstrates how we are disrupting the trade in illicit cigarettes – a crime that damages funding for essential public services and undermines legitimate businesses that serve local communities. We remain committed to working closely with our partners to relentlessly pursue the determined minority who refuse to play by the rules."
Superintendent Norman Haslett, Police Service of Northern Ireland Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, echoed this sentiment. "This seizure sends a powerful message to those engaged in this type of crime that it will not be tolerated, and also underpins the dedication of all law enforcement in tackling sale and supply of illicit tobacco products locally. The Police Service is committed to working alongside our partner agencies and we remain resolute in our efforts to put those who seek to profit from criminality before the courts."
The joint operation highlights the ongoing efforts of HMRC and the PSNI to combat the illegal tobacco trade in Northern Ireland, which not only defrauds the public purse but also harms legitimate businesses.
Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco should report it to HMRC online.
Information about crime can also be given to police via a call to 101 or online at www.psni.police.uk/report
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), carried out an operation that resulted in the discovery of the cigarettes, which are estimated to be worth £1.6 million in unpaid duty and taxes.
HMRC officers executed a search warrant at a premises in Camlough and uncovered the substantial quantity of non-UK duty paid cigarettes.
While no arrests have been made at this stage, HMRC has confirmed that enquiries into the illegal operation are continuing.
Superintendent Norman Haslett, Police Service of Northern Ireland Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, echoed this sentiment. "This seizure sends a powerful message to those engaged in this type of crime that it will not be tolerated, and also underpins the dedication of all law enforcement in tackling sale and supply of illicit tobacco products locally. The Police Service is committed to working alongside our partner agencies and we remain resolute in our efforts to put those who seek to profit from criminality before the courts."
The joint operation highlights the ongoing efforts of HMRC and the PSNI to combat the illegal tobacco trade in Northern Ireland, which not only defrauds the public purse but also harms legitimate businesses.
Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco should report it to HMRC online.
Information about crime can also be given to police via a call to 101 or online at www.psni.police.uk/report
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
