Menu
27/06/2023
10.8 Million Cigarettes Seized By HMRC At Belfast Port
His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are investigating following the seizure of 10.8 million illegal cigarettes at Belfast Port, in a joint operation with Border Force on 20th June.
The cigarettes have a total worth of £5.3 million in unpaid taxes and were found packed in cardboard boxes in a container that Border Force had already scanned.
Lucie Irving of HMRC’s fraud investigation service, described the seizure as "huge" and stated "our streets would have been flooded with them [illegal cigarettes] had they not been discovered".
HMRC have said that they are determined to cut out illegal cigarettes, with disrupting criminal trade at the heart of their strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market – a market that costs the UK around £2.5 billion a year. HMRC describe this as theft from the taxpayer and undermining legitimate traders.
According to HMRC, cheap cigarettes often fund organised crime and cause harm inside communities through other illegal activity like drugs, guns, and trafficking. Children and young people are targeted by those who sell illegal tobacco and cigarettes encouraging them to take up smoking and exposing them to crime. HMRC plan to tackle this issue by working closely with their partners in the UK and internationally. HMRC also urge anyone with information on cigarette fraud to contact HMRC online.
Darren Brabon of Border Force said: "This seizure is another example of our commitment with HMRC and partner agencies to stop these illicit items from entering the country and harming our communities."
No arrests have been made at this time.
(RP)
The cigarettes have a total worth of £5.3 million in unpaid taxes and were found packed in cardboard boxes in a container that Border Force had already scanned.
Lucie Irving of HMRC’s fraud investigation service, described the seizure as "huge" and stated "our streets would have been flooded with them [illegal cigarettes] had they not been discovered".
HMRC have said that they are determined to cut out illegal cigarettes, with disrupting criminal trade at the heart of their strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market – a market that costs the UK around £2.5 billion a year. HMRC describe this as theft from the taxpayer and undermining legitimate traders.
According to HMRC, cheap cigarettes often fund organised crime and cause harm inside communities through other illegal activity like drugs, guns, and trafficking. Children and young people are targeted by those who sell illegal tobacco and cigarettes encouraging them to take up smoking and exposing them to crime. HMRC plan to tackle this issue by working closely with their partners in the UK and internationally. HMRC also urge anyone with information on cigarette fraud to contact HMRC online.
Darren Brabon of Border Force said: "This seizure is another example of our commitment with HMRC and partner agencies to stop these illicit items from entering the country and harming our communities."
No arrests have been made at this time.
(RP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 January 2011
Eight Million Bootleg Cigs Seized
Seven men have been arrested and around eight million counterfeit cigarettes, hidden in a shipment of under-floor heating pipes have been seized by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The cigarettes, thought to have originated in China, were seized following a multi-agency raid on commercial premises in the Forkhill area of south Armagh yesterday morning.
Eight Million Bootleg Cigs Seized
Seven men have been arrested and around eight million counterfeit cigarettes, hidden in a shipment of under-floor heating pipes have been seized by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The cigarettes, thought to have originated in China, were seized following a multi-agency raid on commercial premises in the Forkhill area of south Armagh yesterday morning.
19 July 2023
HMRC Announces Funding To Provide Tax Help
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced funding of £5.5 million to help those in the voluntary and community sectors who may need extra help with their tax affairs. HMRC is inviting eligible organisations in the sectors to bid for the funding, worth £1.
HMRC Announces Funding To Provide Tax Help
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced funding of £5.5 million to help those in the voluntary and community sectors who may need extra help with their tax affairs. HMRC is inviting eligible organisations in the sectors to bid for the funding, worth £1.
14 December 2017
Former HMRC Worker Sentenced For Tax Credit Fraud
A former HMRC worker who lied about being a single parent to claim tax credits has been handed a suspended sentence. Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims. Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.
Former HMRC Worker Sentenced For Tax Credit Fraud
A former HMRC worker who lied about being a single parent to claim tax credits has been handed a suspended sentence. Laura Southern worked as a HMRC Benefits and Credits Compliance Manager in Belfast, where her role was to check for fraudulent tax credit claims. Between 2012 and 2017 she fraudulently claimed £34,209.
23 June 2017
Police Issue Warning Over Bogus HMRC Telephone Calls
Police have issued a warning to residents living in north and west Belfast to be aware of bogus HMRC telephone calls. Victims of the scam received phone calls from both men and women claiming that their records show they owe money for taxes unpaid and inform them that they are committing offences if they do not pay.
Police Issue Warning Over Bogus HMRC Telephone Calls
Police have issued a warning to residents living in north and west Belfast to be aware of bogus HMRC telephone calls. Victims of the scam received phone calls from both men and women claiming that their records show they owe money for taxes unpaid and inform them that they are committing offences if they do not pay.
14 February 2024
HMRC Warns Of Bogus Tax Refund Offers
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to Self Assessment tax customers of bogus tax refund offers. HMRC has warned that fraudsters could set their sights on Self Assessment customers, with more than 11.5 million submitting a tax return by last month's deadline.
HMRC Warns Of Bogus Tax Refund Offers
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to Self Assessment tax customers of bogus tax refund offers. HMRC has warned that fraudsters could set their sights on Self Assessment customers, with more than 11.5 million submitting a tax return by last month's deadline.
-
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.
