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13/12/2005
Three million cigarettes uncovered by customs
More than three million cigarettes smuggled into Northern Ireland concealed in a consignment of plate glass sheets have been seized in Belfast.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recovered 3,175,400 counterfeit cigarettes over the weekend, from a container arriving in Belfast Docks from China.
The fake cigarettes were discovered hidden in lead-lined concealments within crates of plate glass and HMRC today confirmed that had the consignment reached the open market, the estimated UK revenue loss would have been over £500,000.
Customs Head of Detection in Northern Ireland, Colin McAllister said: "This was a well organised and sophisticated smuggling attempt and demonstrates HMRC's continuing commitment to tackling tobacco smuggling.
"The large amount of cigarettes seized at Belfast Docks, which follows on from recent seizures of 400,000 cigarettes at Northern Ireland's airports from the start of December, shows that tobacco smuggling is not a small scale, victimless crime. It can be highly organised and lucrative and we are working to tackle that threat."
No arrests have been made and investigations into the consignment are continuing.
(MB/SP)
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recovered 3,175,400 counterfeit cigarettes over the weekend, from a container arriving in Belfast Docks from China.
The fake cigarettes were discovered hidden in lead-lined concealments within crates of plate glass and HMRC today confirmed that had the consignment reached the open market, the estimated UK revenue loss would have been over £500,000.
Customs Head of Detection in Northern Ireland, Colin McAllister said: "This was a well organised and sophisticated smuggling attempt and demonstrates HMRC's continuing commitment to tackling tobacco smuggling.
"The large amount of cigarettes seized at Belfast Docks, which follows on from recent seizures of 400,000 cigarettes at Northern Ireland's airports from the start of December, shows that tobacco smuggling is not a small scale, victimless crime. It can be highly organised and lucrative and we are working to tackle that threat."
No arrests have been made and investigations into the consignment are continuing.
(MB/SP)
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Customs seize record consignment of illegal cigarettes
Customs and Excise officers in Northern Ireland have intercepted what is the largest ever consignment of smuggled cigarettes in the UK following the detainment of a ship at Warrenpoint.
Customs seize record consignment of illegal cigarettes
Customs and Excise officers in Northern Ireland have intercepted what is the largest ever consignment of smuggled cigarettes in the UK following the detainment of a ship at Warrenpoint.
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Smuggled cigarettes and tobacco worth over £30,000 were seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers from a Londonderry retailer. The PSNI supported Customs officers when they seized over 115,000 cigarettes and nine kilos of hand rolling tobacco from a shop in the Waterside area of the city.
Smuggled Cigarettes Seized In Derry
Smuggled cigarettes and tobacco worth over £30,000 were seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers from a Londonderry retailer. The PSNI supported Customs officers when they seized over 115,000 cigarettes and nine kilos of hand rolling tobacco from a shop in the Waterside area of the city.
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Customs seize over six million cigarettes in Co Armagh
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Customs seize over six million cigarettes in Co Armagh
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16 October 2002
Smuggled cigarettes seized at Belfast International Airport
Customs Officers have netted around 300,000 cigarettes in an operation at Belfast International Airport (BIA) carried out this morning. Customs assisted by police detected the cigarettes on flights arriving from Spain and the Canary Islands, a haul which would have amounted to approximately £50,000 in lost revenue.
Smuggled cigarettes seized at Belfast International Airport
Customs Officers have netted around 300,000 cigarettes in an operation at Belfast International Airport (BIA) carried out this morning. Customs assisted by police detected the cigarettes on flights arriving from Spain and the Canary Islands, a haul which would have amounted to approximately £50,000 in lost revenue.
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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.
