AROUND nine million cigarettes have been seized by UK Border Agency officers at Felixstowe.
AROUND nine million cigarettes have been seized by UK Border Agency officers at Felixstowe.
The seizure, made on August 5, came after officers examined a container that arrived from Namibia.
The contraband was described as charcoal but when officers opened the load they found the containers full of Benson & Hedges Gold cigarettes that were intended for Burnley, Lancashire.
Jim Jarvie, Deputy Director for Central Region UKBA said: “This is a large seizure of illegal cigarettes that without the intervention of UKBA officers working alongside revenue and customs colleagues would have flooded our streets.
“A vital part of UKBA and HMRC's work is to protect the interests of honest shopkeepers by preventing commercial smuggling and the onward transport and sale of illegal cigarettes.”
Dave Gostelow, a spokesperson for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), said: “UKBA and HMRC are keen to work closely with local people and business communities in the fight against cigarette fraud.
“I would urge any member of the public, who knows of any illegal tobacco sales or suspicious activity in their area, to contact us on our 24 hour confidential helpline 0845 59 5000.”
The duty evaded on the haul is estimated at £1.57 million.
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