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31/03/2004
Customs tobacco seizure success
Customs officers have seized half a million cigarettes and 14 kilos of tobacco during a series of operations in Antrim and Londonderry and at Belfast's airports.
The five-day operation, which ended on Sunday, saw baggage examinations carried out by Customs' North Regional Strike Force at Belfast's International and City airports resulting in the seizure of contraband cigarettes from 47 passengers returning to Belfast on flights from Tenerife and Arrecife.
In co-operation with PSNI, Customs officers also seized contraband tobacco following searches at 11 retail premises in Ballymena, Coleraine and Bushmills. The total revenue loss for these seizures is £93,000.
Commenting on the success, Customs Head of Detection Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: "This operation is part of Customs'ongoing activity to detect not only the smuggling of illegal tobacco through Northern Ireland's ports and airports but also the onward transport and sale through commercial outlets across Northern Ireland.
"As we head towards summer, gangs of smugglers are exploiting the increasing number of cheap holiday flights in an attempt to avoid Customs controls but we have the flexibility to deploy officers wherever and whenever a risk is identified."
During operations at Belfast International Airport Customs officers seized 274 grams of herbal cannabis from a passenger on a flight arriving from Amsterdam. A Belfast man arrested in connection with the seizure has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
In a separate operation Customs officers have seized five vehicles during roadside checks for the illegal use of laundered and rebated fuel close to Nutts Corner market on Monday.
Flexible, mobile Customs teams carried out the operation during which over 120 private and commercial vehicles were stopped and tested for illegal fuel. The five vehicles seized were private with fines totalling £2,500 imposed on motorists for the return of their vehicles.
(MB)
The five-day operation, which ended on Sunday, saw baggage examinations carried out by Customs' North Regional Strike Force at Belfast's International and City airports resulting in the seizure of contraband cigarettes from 47 passengers returning to Belfast on flights from Tenerife and Arrecife.
In co-operation with PSNI, Customs officers also seized contraband tobacco following searches at 11 retail premises in Ballymena, Coleraine and Bushmills. The total revenue loss for these seizures is £93,000.
Commenting on the success, Customs Head of Detection Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: "This operation is part of Customs'ongoing activity to detect not only the smuggling of illegal tobacco through Northern Ireland's ports and airports but also the onward transport and sale through commercial outlets across Northern Ireland.
"As we head towards summer, gangs of smugglers are exploiting the increasing number of cheap holiday flights in an attempt to avoid Customs controls but we have the flexibility to deploy officers wherever and whenever a risk is identified."
During operations at Belfast International Airport Customs officers seized 274 grams of herbal cannabis from a passenger on a flight arriving from Amsterdam. A Belfast man arrested in connection with the seizure has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
In a separate operation Customs officers have seized five vehicles during roadside checks for the illegal use of laundered and rebated fuel close to Nutts Corner market on Monday.
Flexible, mobile Customs teams carried out the operation during which over 120 private and commercial vehicles were stopped and tested for illegal fuel. The five vehicles seized were private with fines totalling £2,500 imposed on motorists for the return of their vehicles.
(MB)
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Customs officers seized in excess of 65,000 litres of fuel from commercial premises in Co Armagh yesterday. During the operation, which was assisted by the PSNI, Customs officers seized 66,200 litres of green diesel, derv and petrol from storage tanks and a fuel tanker containing green diesel and kerosene.
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Dublin Docks Raid Recovers Cigarette Haul
Some €4 million worth of illegally imported cigarettes were seized at Dublin Port last night. Customs officers said they uncovered the huge stash of nine million cigarettes in a container disguised as containing disposable cups. The seizure was part of an operation targeting the supply and sale of illegal tobacco.
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18 May 2005
Over six million cigarettes seized in Newry
Over six million cigarettes have been seized by customs officers in Co Down. Details of the seizure, which occurred in Newry last Friday, emerged on Wednesday and saw 6,240,000 Richman cigarettes detected in a container load described as flat-pack furniture. The cargo had arrived from Malaysia.
Over six million cigarettes seized in Newry
Over six million cigarettes have been seized by customs officers in Co Down. Details of the seizure, which occurred in Newry last Friday, emerged on Wednesday and saw 6,240,000 Richman cigarettes detected in a container load described as flat-pack furniture. The cargo had arrived from Malaysia.
17 October 2002
Cigarettes seized in Antrim
In an operation involving police and customs officers 80,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized in Antrim. The cigarettes were discovered in a car stopped by police officers at a checkpoint on the Dublin Road on Wednesday afternoon. A man with a Ballymena address was arrested for questioning.
Cigarettes seized in Antrim
In an operation involving police and customs officers 80,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized in Antrim. The cigarettes were discovered in a car stopped by police officers at a checkpoint on the Dublin Road on Wednesday afternoon. A man with a Ballymena address was arrested for questioning.
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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.
