Menu
13/12/2005
Three million cigarettes uncovered by customs
More than three million cigarettes smuggled into Northern Ireland concealed in a consignment of plate glass sheets have been seized in Belfast.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recovered 3,175,400 counterfeit cigarettes over the weekend, from a container arriving in Belfast Docks from China.
The fake cigarettes were discovered hidden in lead-lined concealments within crates of plate glass and HMRC today confirmed that had the consignment reached the open market, the estimated UK revenue loss would have been over £500,000.
Customs Head of Detection in Northern Ireland, Colin McAllister said: "This was a well organised and sophisticated smuggling attempt and demonstrates HMRC's continuing commitment to tackling tobacco smuggling.
"The large amount of cigarettes seized at Belfast Docks, which follows on from recent seizures of 400,000 cigarettes at Northern Ireland's airports from the start of December, shows that tobacco smuggling is not a small scale, victimless crime. It can be highly organised and lucrative and we are working to tackle that threat."
No arrests have been made and investigations into the consignment are continuing.
(MB/SP)
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recovered 3,175,400 counterfeit cigarettes over the weekend, from a container arriving in Belfast Docks from China.
The fake cigarettes were discovered hidden in lead-lined concealments within crates of plate glass and HMRC today confirmed that had the consignment reached the open market, the estimated UK revenue loss would have been over £500,000.
Customs Head of Detection in Northern Ireland, Colin McAllister said: "This was a well organised and sophisticated smuggling attempt and demonstrates HMRC's continuing commitment to tackling tobacco smuggling.
"The large amount of cigarettes seized at Belfast Docks, which follows on from recent seizures of 400,000 cigarettes at Northern Ireland's airports from the start of December, shows that tobacco smuggling is not a small scale, victimless crime. It can be highly organised and lucrative and we are working to tackle that threat."
No arrests have been made and investigations into the consignment are continuing.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 April 2024
TechFoundHer Brings AI Roadshow To Belfast
A women in tech organisation set up by Northern Ireland entrepreneur Mairin Murray is set to bring their hugely popular AI Roadshow to Belfast. The roadshow follows on from the success of the recent TechFoundHer Bootcamp in Dublin, a one day innovation summit for female founders.
TechFoundHer Brings AI Roadshow To Belfast
A women in tech organisation set up by Northern Ireland entrepreneur Mairin Murray is set to bring their hugely popular AI Roadshow to Belfast. The roadshow follows on from the success of the recent TechFoundHer Bootcamp in Dublin, a one day innovation summit for female founders.
19 April 2024
Belfast Castle To Mark 90th Anniversary Of Gift To The City
The summer will mark 90 years since Belfast Castle was gifted to the citizens of the city, an anniversary that will be marked with a series of events and activities, as well as the reopening of the Castle's Cellar Restaurant. The anniversary will offer locals and visitors the opportunity to delve into the iconic estate's history and heritage.
Belfast Castle To Mark 90th Anniversary Of Gift To The City
The summer will mark 90 years since Belfast Castle was gifted to the citizens of the city, an anniversary that will be marked with a series of events and activities, as well as the reopening of the Castle's Cellar Restaurant. The anniversary will offer locals and visitors the opportunity to delve into the iconic estate's history and heritage.
18 April 2024
TechFoundHer Brings AI Roadshow To Belfast
A women in tech organisation set up by Northern Ireland entrepreneur Mairin Murray is set to bring their hugely popular AI Roadshow to Belfast. The roadshow follows on from the success of the recent TechFoundHer Bootcamp in Dublin, a one day innovation summit for female founders.
TechFoundHer Brings AI Roadshow To Belfast
A women in tech organisation set up by Northern Ireland entrepreneur Mairin Murray is set to bring their hugely popular AI Roadshow to Belfast. The roadshow follows on from the success of the recent TechFoundHer Bootcamp in Dublin, a one day innovation summit for female founders.
08 March 2024
Man Wanted In Ireland On Drug Offences Arrested In South Belfast
A 59-year-old man wanted in the Republic of Ireland has been arrested in south Belfast by the PSNI's International Policing Unit. Wanted to stand trial for drugs offences that occurred in the Kilkenny area in 2012.
Man Wanted In Ireland On Drug Offences Arrested In South Belfast
A 59-year-old man wanted in the Republic of Ireland has been arrested in south Belfast by the PSNI's International Policing Unit. Wanted to stand trial for drugs offences that occurred in the Kilkenny area in 2012.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
