HMRC is investigating the single largest seizure of illegal cigarettes ever made at a UK port after more than 99 million cigarettes, worth around £44 million in unpaid taxes, were seized by Border Force officials at Hull.
A tobacco detection dog helped uncover the illegal cigarettes which were packed inside eight shipping containers and described on import documents as birchwood logs shipped through the United Arab Emirates.
A 57-year-old man from South Wales has been arrested and released on bail in connection with the seizure, and a second man from the Birmingham area has been interviewed under caution. Investigations are ongoing.
Anthony Usher, Deputy Director, Fraud Investigation Service at 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.”
