Menu
16/10/2002
Smuggled cigarettes seized at Belfast International Airport
Customs Officers have netted around 300,000 cigarettes in an operation at Belfast International Airport (BIA) carried out this morning.
Customs assisted by police detected the cigarettes on flights arriving from Spain and the Canary Islands, a haul which would have amounted to approximately £50,000 in lost revenue.
This is part of Customs’ ongoing campaign against the illegal tobacco trade, which costs UK taxpayers an estimated £4 billion a year.
A Customs spokesperson said: “These seizures alone would have meant over £60,000 in lost sales to honest local traders.
“Customs Officers will continue to tackle smugglers who use holiday flights to cover their illegal activities. However, we would stress that honest, legitimate travellers should have absolutely nothing to fear."
He also appealed to the public to help Customs in the fight against smuggling: "if you have any information about suspicious activity, please call our confidential hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
Penalties for tobacco smuggling include: seizure of all goods and vehicles used, punitive fines, withdrawal of loss of lottery terminal and/or liquor licence and up to seven years jail.
In the 2000 budget, the Government committed £209 million to tackling tobacco smuggling, which will provide almost 1,000 more Customs officers and a national network of the latest x-ray scanners at ports.
(SP)
Customs assisted by police detected the cigarettes on flights arriving from Spain and the Canary Islands, a haul which would have amounted to approximately £50,000 in lost revenue.
This is part of Customs’ ongoing campaign against the illegal tobacco trade, which costs UK taxpayers an estimated £4 billion a year.
A Customs spokesperson said: “These seizures alone would have meant over £60,000 in lost sales to honest local traders.
“Customs Officers will continue to tackle smugglers who use holiday flights to cover their illegal activities. However, we would stress that honest, legitimate travellers should have absolutely nothing to fear."
He also appealed to the public to help Customs in the fight against smuggling: "if you have any information about suspicious activity, please call our confidential hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
Penalties for tobacco smuggling include: seizure of all goods and vehicles used, punitive fines, withdrawal of loss of lottery terminal and/or liquor licence and up to seven years jail.
In the 2000 budget, the Government committed £209 million to tackling tobacco smuggling, which will provide almost 1,000 more Customs officers and a national network of the latest x-ray scanners at ports.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 November 2003
Customs seize over six million cigarettes in Co Armagh
Customs officers have uncovered over six million smuggled cigarettes in Co Armagh. The container-load was seized during an operation in Moy on Friday evening after the Dorchester brand cigarettes had been shipped from Malaysia.
Customs seize over six million cigarettes in Co Armagh
Customs officers have uncovered over six million smuggled cigarettes in Co Armagh. The container-load was seized during an operation in Moy on Friday evening after the Dorchester brand cigarettes had been shipped from Malaysia.
24 September 2003
Customs swoop nets smuggled tobacco and counterfeit goods
Customs officers have seized cigarettes, tobacco and counterfeit DVDs and videos during operations at commercial premises in Portadown and Belfast. During searches of 17 business premises in east Belfast yesterday, Customs seized 8,360 smuggled cigarettes, 11.5 kilos of hand rolling tobacco and 78 counterfeit DVDs and videos.
Customs swoop nets smuggled tobacco and counterfeit goods
Customs officers have seized cigarettes, tobacco and counterfeit DVDs and videos during operations at commercial premises in Portadown and Belfast. During searches of 17 business premises in east Belfast yesterday, Customs seized 8,360 smuggled cigarettes, 11.5 kilos of hand rolling tobacco and 78 counterfeit DVDs and videos.
20 August 2002
Customs net £1.5m haul of smuggled cigarettes
Customs officers have seized 8.5 million illegal cigarettes with an estimated value of £1.5 million. The consignment of cigarettes was seized after Customs investigators carried out a routine check of a container vessel at Warrenpoint on Saturday night. The Antigua and Barbuda registered cargo vessel ‘Emma’ had departed from Rotterdam.
Customs net £1.5m haul of smuggled cigarettes
Customs officers have seized 8.5 million illegal cigarettes with an estimated value of £1.5 million. The consignment of cigarettes was seized after Customs investigators carried out a routine check of a container vessel at Warrenpoint on Saturday night. The Antigua and Barbuda registered cargo vessel ‘Emma’ had departed from Rotterdam.
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.
15 March 2002
Customs seize illegal cigarettes at Larne port
Customs officers have seized nearly three million duty free cigarettes concealed in a consignment of Bulgarian matches arriving at the Port of Larne via Liverpool.
Customs seize illegal cigarettes at Larne port
Customs officers have seized nearly three million duty free cigarettes concealed in a consignment of Bulgarian matches arriving at the Port of Larne via Liverpool.
-
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.
