Menu
13/12/2005
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.
The fake cigarettes were discovered hidden in lead-lined concealments within crates of plate glass and HMRC today confirmed that had the consignment reached the open market, the estimated UK revenue loss would have been over £500,000.
Customs Head of Detection in Northern Ireland, Colin McAllister said: "This was a well organised and sophisticated smuggling attempt and demonstrates HMRC's continuing commitment to tackling tobacco smuggling.
"The large amount of cigarettes seized at Belfast Docks, which follows on from recent seizures of 400,000 cigarettes at Northern Ireland's airports from the start of December, shows that tobacco smuggling is not a small scale, victimless crime. It can be highly organised and lucrative and we are working to tackle that threat."
No arrests have been made and investigations into the consignment are continuing.
(MB/SP)
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recovered 3,175,400 counterfeit cigarettes over the weekend, from a container arriving in Belfast Docks from China.
The fake cigarettes were discovered hidden in lead-lined concealments within crates of plate glass and HMRC today confirmed that had the consignment reached the open market, the estimated UK revenue loss would have been over £500,000.
Customs Head of Detection in Northern Ireland, Colin McAllister said: "This was a well organised and sophisticated smuggling attempt and demonstrates HMRC's continuing commitment to tackling tobacco smuggling.
"The large amount of cigarettes seized at Belfast Docks, which follows on from recent seizures of 400,000 cigarettes at Northern Ireland's airports from the start of December, shows that tobacco smuggling is not a small scale, victimless crime. It can be highly organised and lucrative and we are working to tackle that threat."
No arrests have been made and investigations into the consignment are continuing.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Belfast Christmas Market Announces Dublin Express As Official Travel Partner
Belfast Christmas Market is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in style, with the announcement of Dublin Express as its official travel partner. Opening its gates on November 16th at 12 noon, the market is expected to attract over a million visitors.
Belfast Christmas Market Announces Dublin Express As Official Travel Partner
Belfast Christmas Market is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in style, with the announcement of Dublin Express as its official travel partner. Opening its gates on November 16th at 12 noon, the market is expected to attract over a million visitors.
14 November 2024
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
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.
09 November 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.
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.
21 September 2007
Smuggled Cigarettes Seized In Derry
Smuggled cigarettes and tobacco worth over £30,000 were seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers from a Londonderry retailer. The PSNI supported Customs officers when they seized over 115,000 cigarettes and nine kilos of hand rolling tobacco from a shop in the Waterside area of the city.
Smuggled Cigarettes Seized In Derry
Smuggled cigarettes and tobacco worth over £30,000 were seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers from a Londonderry retailer. The PSNI supported Customs officers when they seized over 115,000 cigarettes and nine kilos of hand rolling tobacco from a shop in the Waterside area of the city.
-
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.
