£9.8 Million Worth of Illegal Cigarettes Busted Near Newry
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), backed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), have seized a staggering 11.5 million non-UK duty-paid cigarettes in a major crackdown near Newry. The haul is estimated to have cost the Treasury almost £10 million in lost taxes and duties.
Illegal Fuel and More Found in Raids
During raids on two premises on Monday, November 4, officers uncovered not just the huge cigarette stash but also fuel laundering equipment, 400 litres of illegal fuel, and several vehicles. Four men aged 23 to 33 were arrested and have now been released on bail pending further investigations.
HMRC and PSNI Fight Back Against Tobacco Crime
Dermot Clarke, Assistant Director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, slammed the illicit tobacco trade. He 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.”
Superintendent Norman Haslett of PSNI added, “This is an incredibly significant seizure and shows our commitment 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.”
Tips Wanted to Cut Down Illegal Tobacco Sales
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to step forward and report details to HMRC online. The crackdown sends a clear message: illegal cigarette sales will face the full force of the law.
