Smuggled Cigarettes Seized In Derry

Smuggled cigarettes and tobacco worth over £30,000 were seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers from a Londonderry retailer.

The PSNI supported Customs officers when they seized over 115,000 cigarettes and nine kilos of hand rolling tobacco from a shop in the Waterside area of the city.

The HMRC operation was part of ongoing action to clampdown on tobacco fraud in Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for the HMRC said: "A vital part of HMRC’s work is to protect the interests of Northern Ireland’s honest shopkeepers by preventing commercial smuggling and the onward transport and sale of illegal cigarettes."

HMRC estimate that the seizure would have meant over £30,000 in lost sales to local, legitimate traders.

He added: "With an estimated £3 billion in revenue being diverted from public services into the pockets of smugglers each year the problem of excise fraud is a real one and one which we are determined to crack.

"Our officers will continue to tackle those who fraudulently purchase cigarettes with a view to selling them on to the UK market in order to avoid payment of duty. HMRC are keen to work closely with local people and business communities in the fight against cigarette fraud."

A local man had been arrested in connection with the seizure, but has been released pending further enquiries.

(LC/SP)