More than 99 million cigarettes, worth around £44 million in unpaid taxes, were seized by Border Force (BF) at the Port of Hull on 1 June 2022. A BF tobacco detection dog helped uncover the illegal cigarettes which were packed inside eight shipping containers and described as birchwood logs shipped through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on import documents. The case was passed to HMRC and an investigation was launched. A 57-year-old man from South Wales was arrested in July in connection with the seizure and was released on bail. Another man from the Birmingham area has been interviewed under caution. Investigations are ongoing. Anthony Usher, Deputy Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “This is the single largest seizure of cigarettes ever made at a UK port – and our streets would have been flooded with them had they not been discovered. “We are determined to stamp out tobacco fraud by working closely with partners in the UK and internationally to bring those responsible to justice. “Cheap cigarettes come at a cost as they often fund organised crime and other illegal activity that causes real harm to our communities, such as drugs, guns and human trafficking. “We urge anyone with information about cigarette fraud to contact HMRC online. Search ‘Report Fraud HMRC’ on GOV.UK and complete our online form.” Irene Hall, Deputy Director, Border Force North Region, said: “Illicit cigarettes are dangerous, harmful and fund organised criminal gangs. “The officers involved can be proud that this huge interception has stopped illicit cigarettes from entering our communities.” Notes for editors
- Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2.5 billion a year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.
- Earlier this year HMRC and the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security made long term commitments to work closer together to tackle large scale tobacco fraud affecting both the UK and the UAE.
- Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice
