Menu
27/03/2007
Belfast man fined £175,000 for smuggling cigarettes
A Belfast man has been ordered to pay £175,000 at Belfast Crown Court for the possession and distribution of over 1.2 million smuggled cigarettes.
Ashok Brian Kumar, 54, from Mountainvale Crescent in Glengormley had pleaded guilty to two charges relating to 1,235,200 illegally imported cigarettes, evading revenue of around £180,000.
He also received an 18 month suspended sentence.
The court heard that Kumar was arrested in Belfast by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers on 7 August 2002, when a search of his car uncovered 61,200 illegally imported cigarettes.
During follow up searches in the Glengormley area a further 1,174,000 illegal cigarettes were seized from a garage and van used by Kumar.
In his summing up, Mr Justice Deeny told the court that although this was a serious offence Mr Kumar was being given credit for pleading at the first available opportunity, and for the fact that the trial had taken a considerable time to come to trial.
Anne-Marie Gordon, Head of Investigation for HMRC Northern Ireland, said: “Tobacco smuggling is not a victimless crime: it is run by organised criminal gangs with no regard to the harm they cause to our communities.
“Smugglers undercut law-abiding businesses and use the proceeds to fund other types of organised crime.”
She continued: “It costs the taxpayer nearly £3 billion a year in lost revenue, and deprives us all of funding for facilities such as schools and hospitals.”
(JM/KMcA)
Ashok Brian Kumar, 54, from Mountainvale Crescent in Glengormley had pleaded guilty to two charges relating to 1,235,200 illegally imported cigarettes, evading revenue of around £180,000.
He also received an 18 month suspended sentence.
The court heard that Kumar was arrested in Belfast by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers on 7 August 2002, when a search of his car uncovered 61,200 illegally imported cigarettes.
During follow up searches in the Glengormley area a further 1,174,000 illegal cigarettes were seized from a garage and van used by Kumar.
In his summing up, Mr Justice Deeny told the court that although this was a serious offence Mr Kumar was being given credit for pleading at the first available opportunity, and for the fact that the trial had taken a considerable time to come to trial.
Anne-Marie Gordon, Head of Investigation for HMRC Northern Ireland, said: “Tobacco smuggling is not a victimless crime: it is run by organised criminal gangs with no regard to the harm they cause to our communities.
“Smugglers undercut law-abiding businesses and use the proceeds to fund other types of organised crime.”
She continued: “It costs the taxpayer nearly £3 billion a year in lost revenue, and deprives us all of funding for facilities such as schools and hospitals.”
(JM/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 February 2019
Almost 30,000 Cigarettes Seized By PSNI In INLA Crackdown
Police investigating the activities of the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) have seized a significant amount of illicit cigarettes and tobacco in L'Derry. Searches of seven shops in the city uncovered almost 30,000 cigarettes and 20 kilograms of tobacco, along with other counterfeit goods and mobile phones.
Almost 30,000 Cigarettes Seized By PSNI In INLA Crackdown
Police investigating the activities of the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) have seized a significant amount of illicit cigarettes and tobacco in L'Derry. Searches of seven shops in the city uncovered almost 30,000 cigarettes and 20 kilograms of tobacco, along with other counterfeit goods and mobile phones.
30 January 2019
Almost Five Million Cigarettes Seized By Police
A significant haul of nearly five million cigarettes and almost 700kg of tobacco has been seized as part of a major operation by police and customs officers in Northern Ireland. The illicit material, worth an estimated £1.9m in duty and taxes that would have been lost, was uncovered during searches in the Banbridge, Carryduff and Ballyclare areas.
Almost Five Million Cigarettes Seized By Police
A significant haul of nearly five million cigarettes and almost 700kg of tobacco has been seized as part of a major operation by police and customs officers in Northern Ireland. The illicit material, worth an estimated £1.9m in duty and taxes that would have been lost, was uncovered during searches in the Banbridge, Carryduff and Ballyclare areas.
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.
04 February 2015
Five Arrested Over Tobacco Processing Plant
Five people have been arrested by HMRC officers after the discovery of a raw tobacco processing plant involved in a suspected £110m tobacco fraud. Assisted by the PSNI, HM Revenue and Customs officers searched nine addresses in counties Down, Tyrone and Armagh on Tuesday morning.
Five Arrested Over Tobacco Processing Plant
Five people have been arrested by HMRC officers after the discovery of a raw tobacco processing plant involved in a suspected £110m tobacco fraud. Assisted by the PSNI, HM Revenue and Customs officers searched nine addresses in counties Down, Tyrone and Armagh on Tuesday morning.
19 May 2011
Eight Million Illicit Cigarettes Seized
Two Armagh men have been arrested this week and customs' officials have seized around eight million cigarettes - worth an estimated £1.7m in lost duty.
Eight Million Illicit Cigarettes Seized
Two Armagh men have been arrested this week and customs' officials have seized around eight million cigarettes - worth an estimated £1.7m in lost duty.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
