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24/01/2003
Smuggler from Northern Ireland jailed for three years
A Northern Ireland man has been jailed for three years for organising a major cigarette smuggling run.
Michael Doherty (34), from Strabane, Co Tyrone, was arrested by Customs officers at his home last March. A search of the premises revealed fake documents linking him with an importation of 1.4 million cigarettes in a lorry load of tyres at Dover in April 2001.
At Maidstone Crown Court in January, the jury acquitted the driver of the lorry, but found Doherty guilty and he was jailed for three years.
On sentencing, the judge Recorder Polden explained that Doherty's role in this planned and organised smuggling enterprise needed a custodial sentence to deter others from such ventures.
A Customs spokesperson said: “Dover is a gateway from the continent, and this case shows the importance of Customs frontier controls preventing smuggled goods reaching other parts of the UK.
“Tobacco smuggling attacks the livelihood of honest traders and means less money for hospitals and schools. This case should send out a big deterrent message to those tempted to get involved. I hope they take it on board.
(SP)
Michael Doherty (34), from Strabane, Co Tyrone, was arrested by Customs officers at his home last March. A search of the premises revealed fake documents linking him with an importation of 1.4 million cigarettes in a lorry load of tyres at Dover in April 2001.
At Maidstone Crown Court in January, the jury acquitted the driver of the lorry, but found Doherty guilty and he was jailed for three years.
On sentencing, the judge Recorder Polden explained that Doherty's role in this planned and organised smuggling enterprise needed a custodial sentence to deter others from such ventures.
A Customs spokesperson said: “Dover is a gateway from the continent, and this case shows the importance of Customs frontier controls preventing smuggled goods reaching other parts of the UK.
“Tobacco smuggling attacks the livelihood of honest traders and means less money for hospitals and schools. This case should send out a big deterrent message to those tempted to get involved. I hope they take it on board.
(SP)
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