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09/11/2001
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.
Over 37 million cigarettes have been seized after Customs investigators detained the Cyprus-registered cargo vessel ‘Sylve’ at Warrenpoint on Wednesday November 7, en route from Latvia.
Customs today confirmed that the £8 million cigarette seizure is more than treble the previous record for Northern Ireland and is the largest-ever seizure in the UK.
Commenting on the huge consignment of contraband, Customs Minister Paul Boateng said: “Tobacco smuggling on this scale is not a victimless crime. It draws people into links with organised crime, attacks the livelihood of honest traders and in particular makes cigarettes cheaper and more accessible to children. Some of the gangs are involved in other forms of smuggling and illegal activity, and those who buy these contraband goods do not appreciate the variety of crimes they are supporting. This latest success shows the benefit of close co-operation with the police and highlights our joint determination to act on serious criminal activity at all levels of supply.”
The NI Security Minister, Jane Kennedy has also welcomed the seizure in Warrenpoint this afternoon of what may well prove to be the largest consignment of smuggled cigarettes ever found in Northern Ireland. She said: “This is another significant strike against organised crime and another success for the partners in the Organised Crime Taskforce. Tackling crime through this multi-agency approach is the best way of combating the threats posed to society in Northern Ireland by serious criminals.”
The seizure followed another haul of illegal cigarettes seized in Dundalk in the Irish Republic on Wednesday.
The £3 million cache, believed to have come from Estonia, has been linked to dissident republicans. It is not known if there is a link between the two shipments. (AMcE)
Over 37 million cigarettes have been seized after Customs investigators detained the Cyprus-registered cargo vessel ‘Sylve’ at Warrenpoint on Wednesday November 7, en route from Latvia.
Customs today confirmed that the £8 million cigarette seizure is more than treble the previous record for Northern Ireland and is the largest-ever seizure in the UK.
Commenting on the huge consignment of contraband, Customs Minister Paul Boateng said: “Tobacco smuggling on this scale is not a victimless crime. It draws people into links with organised crime, attacks the livelihood of honest traders and in particular makes cigarettes cheaper and more accessible to children. Some of the gangs are involved in other forms of smuggling and illegal activity, and those who buy these contraband goods do not appreciate the variety of crimes they are supporting. This latest success shows the benefit of close co-operation with the police and highlights our joint determination to act on serious criminal activity at all levels of supply.”
The NI Security Minister, Jane Kennedy has also welcomed the seizure in Warrenpoint this afternoon of what may well prove to be the largest consignment of smuggled cigarettes ever found in Northern Ireland. She said: “This is another significant strike against organised crime and another success for the partners in the Organised Crime Taskforce. Tackling crime through this multi-agency approach is the best way of combating the threats posed to society in Northern Ireland by serious criminals.”
The seizure followed another haul of illegal cigarettes seized in Dundalk in the Irish Republic on Wednesday.
The £3 million cache, believed to have come from Estonia, has been linked to dissident republicans. It is not known if there is a link between the two shipments. (AMcE)
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19 November 2003
Customs seize over six million cigarettes in Co Armagh
Customs officers have uncovered over six million smuggled cigarettes in Co Armagh. The container-load was seized during an operation in Moy on Friday evening after the Dorchester brand cigarettes had been shipped from Malaysia.
Customs seize over six million cigarettes in Co Armagh
Customs officers have uncovered over six million smuggled cigarettes in Co Armagh. The container-load was seized during an operation in Moy on Friday evening after the Dorchester brand cigarettes had been shipped from Malaysia.
13 December 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.
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.
25 March 2002
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
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.
20 August 2002
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.
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.
22 July 2004
Man appears in court following tobacco seizure
A Londonderry man has been charged with the fraudulent evasion of excise duty following the seizure of over 30,000 duty free cigarettes at Belfast International Airport (BIA) on Monday.
Man appears in court following tobacco seizure
A Londonderry man has been charged with the fraudulent evasion of excise duty following the seizure of over 30,000 duty free cigarettes at Belfast International Airport (BIA) on Monday.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
