Smuggling placed under spotlight at Balmoral show

A bear’s head, a turtle shell, a dwarf crocodile handbag, carved ivory and examples of smuggling devices used to bring drugs and counterfeit cigarettes into the UK will be on show at the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) exhibition stand at the Balmoral Show.

Visitor’s to this year’s will have the opportunity to see a wide range of smuggled items seized by HMRC in their fight against crime and to quiz officers on duty free allowances and the sort of things they should avoid bringing home from holidays as souvenirs.

Maggie Eyden HMRC Head of Detection in Northern Ireland, said: “We hope visitors to the show will find it interesting to learn more about our work and our success in fighting organised crime such as drug, alcohol and cigarette smuggling, illegal imports, money laundering and tax fraud. In addition, friendly help and advice will be available on a whole range of issues from Allowances to VAT.”

She added: “We will also be promoting our confidential hotline which has been overwhelmingly successful – receiving numerous calls from the public in the last year. It has helped us improve our intelligence base and promotes a good working partnership with local people and communities in the fight against crime.”

HM Revenue & Customs and staff will be on hand to provide advice on the quantities of cigarettes and alcohol that can legally be brought back into the UK from abroad. Information on the type of souvenirs that are banned or restricted will be available included items made from animals or animals or animal products and details of food products likely to be confiscated.

(JM/SP)