Press release -
More than 11 million cigarettes seized
Four men have been arrested after the seizure of more than 11 million cigarettes in South Armagh.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), supported by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), seized the cigarettes, worth an estimated £6 million in duty and taxes, on Monday 4 November.
Officers searched two premises near Newry and found 11.5 million non-UK duty paid cigarettes.
They also seized a number of vehicles, fuel laundering equipment and 400 litres of illegal fuel.
Four men, aged between 23 and 33, were arrested and released on bail.
Dermot Clarke, Operational Lead, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:
“The trade in illicit cigarettes and tobacco damages funding for essential public services and undermines legitimate traders including small, independent shops that serve local communities.
“We continue to work closely with our partners to relentlessly pursue the determined minority who refuse to play by the rules.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, Superintendent Norman Haslett, said:
“This is an incredibly significant seizure and shows that we are committed to working with our partners to keep communities safe in Northern Ireland.
“We remain resolute in our efforts to put those suspected of profiting from criminality before the courts.”
Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol should report it to HMRC online.
Notes for editors:
- Four men, aged 23, 31, 31 and 33, were arrested by HMRC on suspicion of evasion of excise duty, evasion of VAT, and money laundering and have since been released on bail. Investigations into the seizure are continuing.
- The sale of illegal tobacco and alcohol will not be tolerated by HMRC or our partner agencies. Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco and alcohol market, which collectively costs the UK about £3.3 billion a year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.
- You can find out more about HMRC's approach to tax fraud at gov.uk.
- Follow HMRC’s press office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice
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Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the UK’s tax authority.
HMRC is responsible for making sure that the money is available to fund the UK’s public services and for helping families and individuals with targeted financial support.
