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15/03/2002
Customs seize illegal cigarettes at Larne port
Customs officers have seized nearly three million duty free cigarettes concealed in a consignment of Bulgarian matches arriving at the Port of Larne via Liverpool.
Customs officials, who made the recovery on Friday March 15, said they believed the smuggled cigarettes would have been destined for illegal sale in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
These cigarettes, according to Customs and Excise, would have cost the taxpayer alone around £500,000 in lost revenue.
A Customs spokesperson said the seizure highlighted their commitment to tackling all types of smuggling. He added: “This shipment would have meant the loss of £650,000 in sales to local shops. It takes revenue away from the local economy and into the hands of a few criminals. The illegal trade in duty free cigarettes also means less money for hospitals and schools.
In March 2000, the Government invested an additional £209 million to tackling tobacco smuggling, which provided Customs with almost 1,000 more officers and a national network of the latest x-ray scanners flexibly deployed throughout the UK.
This national strategy aims to put cigarette smuggling into decline within three years.
A £3 million publicity campaign was launched in September 2000 to raise general public awareness of tobacco smuggling as well as sending hard messages to smugglers and potential smugglers. (AMcE)
Customs officials, who made the recovery on Friday March 15, said they believed the smuggled cigarettes would have been destined for illegal sale in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
These cigarettes, according to Customs and Excise, would have cost the taxpayer alone around £500,000 in lost revenue.
A Customs spokesperson said the seizure highlighted their commitment to tackling all types of smuggling. He added: “This shipment would have meant the loss of £650,000 in sales to local shops. It takes revenue away from the local economy and into the hands of a few criminals. The illegal trade in duty free cigarettes also means less money for hospitals and schools.
In March 2000, the Government invested an additional £209 million to tackling tobacco smuggling, which provided Customs with almost 1,000 more officers and a national network of the latest x-ray scanners flexibly deployed throughout the UK.
This national strategy aims to put cigarette smuggling into decline within three years.
A £3 million publicity campaign was launched in September 2000 to raise general public awareness of tobacco smuggling as well as sending hard messages to smugglers and potential smugglers. (AMcE)
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Customs net £1.5m haul of smuggled cigarettes
Customs officers have seized 8.5 million illegal cigarettes with an estimated value of £1.5 million. The consignment of cigarettes was seized after Customs investigators carried out a routine check of a container vessel at Warrenpoint on Saturday night. The Antigua and Barbuda registered cargo vessel ‘Emma’ had departed from Rotterdam.
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Customs seize 15 million cigarettes at Belfast docks
Customs officers have seized nearly 15 million smuggled cigarettes which were intercepted at Belfast Port. Customs officials said they believed the duty free cigarettes, which were intercepted in a consignment of clay pots from Holland, would have been sold illegally in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Customs seize 15 million cigarettes at Belfast docks
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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.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
