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08/07/2009
International Operation Nets Cigarettes
There is news today of continued successes on both sides of the Irish border and in England to counter the smuggling of cigarettes.
Customs officers have seized 8.5m smuggled cigarettes in Belfast with staff from the UK Border Agency uncovering the haul of Regal King Size cigarettes.
It was hidden behind boxes in a cargo that had arrived at Belfast docks.
HM Revenue & Customs said one man from Co Tyrone was arrested but has been released without charge.
The cigarettes were smuggled from China and were concealed behind boxes lined with carbon paper in an attempt to evade detection by x-ray scanning equipment.
If it had not been intercepted, the smuggling operation would have cost an estimated duty evasion of £1.91m.
Meanwhile two men from Londonderry who were arrested in connection with one of the largest ever international cigarette smuggling operations have been released on bail. A third man from England remains in police custody.
The operation allegedly involves the manufacture and smuggling of cigarettes from the Far East into the UK and the Republic.
The arrests were made following the search of premises by Revenue and Customs officers in Co Londonderry, and by the Criminal Assets Bureau in counties Cork, Meath and Louth across the border in the Republic.
Premises in Cambridgeshire in England were also searched during the operation.
The Irish Republic's Criminal Assets Bureau searches netted important documentation.
According to a spokesman for Gardaí, the data was seized during the course of the operation, which is part of an international investigation into the smuggling of cigarettes.
See: Labour Call For Quicker CAB Seizure Powers
(BMcC/JM)
Customs officers have seized 8.5m smuggled cigarettes in Belfast with staff from the UK Border Agency uncovering the haul of Regal King Size cigarettes.
It was hidden behind boxes in a cargo that had arrived at Belfast docks.
HM Revenue & Customs said one man from Co Tyrone was arrested but has been released without charge.
The cigarettes were smuggled from China and were concealed behind boxes lined with carbon paper in an attempt to evade detection by x-ray scanning equipment.
If it had not been intercepted, the smuggling operation would have cost an estimated duty evasion of £1.91m.
Meanwhile two men from Londonderry who were arrested in connection with one of the largest ever international cigarette smuggling operations have been released on bail. A third man from England remains in police custody.
The operation allegedly involves the manufacture and smuggling of cigarettes from the Far East into the UK and the Republic.
The arrests were made following the search of premises by Revenue and Customs officers in Co Londonderry, and by the Criminal Assets Bureau in counties Cork, Meath and Louth across the border in the Republic.
Premises in Cambridgeshire in England were also searched during the operation.
The Irish Republic's Criminal Assets Bureau searches netted important documentation.
According to a spokesman for Gardaí, the data was seized during the course of the operation, which is part of an international investigation into the smuggling of cigarettes.
See: Labour Call For Quicker CAB Seizure Powers
(BMcC/JM)
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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.
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Gardaí Seize 2m Contraband Cigarettes
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Arrest Follows Latest Cigarette Haul
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£6m Cigarette Smuggling Bust In South Armagh
Four men arrested after HMRC and PSNI seize over 11 million non-duty paid cigarettes. A major cigarette smuggling operation has been disrupted in South Armagh after a joint operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
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Four men arrested after HMRC and PSNI seize over 11 million non-duty paid cigarettes. A major cigarette smuggling operation has been disrupted in South Armagh after a joint operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
05 August 2010
Dublin Docks Raid Recovers Cigarette Haul
Some €4 million worth of illegally imported cigarettes were seized at Dublin Port last night. Customs officers said they uncovered the huge stash of nine million cigarettes in a container disguised as containing disposable cups. The seizure was part of an operation targeting the supply and sale of illegal tobacco.
Dublin Docks Raid Recovers Cigarette Haul
Some €4 million worth of illegally imported cigarettes were seized at Dublin Port last night. Customs officers said they uncovered the huge stash of nine million cigarettes in a container disguised as containing disposable cups. The seizure was part of an operation targeting the supply and sale of illegal tobacco.
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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.
