Tax-dodging cig plot foiled
SMUGGLER STASHED 350,000 CIGARETTES IN GARAGE
Reporter A TOBACCO smuggling plot has been stubbed out after a man was caught with more than 350,000 cigarettes stashed at his Newcastle home.
Derek Tams was found with the illicit hoard, which also included 220kg of rolling tobacco, in vehicles parked in his garage at Essex Close, Cruddas Park, in the city’s West End.
Unbeknown to the 58 year old, he was being watched by HM Revenue and Customs officers as he transported the non-UK duty paid cigarettes into the vehicles, a court heard.
The officers then raided the address and found the illegal stash, as well as more than £47,000 in cash.
In total, around £136,688 had been cheated from the tax man, prosecutors said.
Now, Tams, of Essex Close, Cruddas Park, has avoided a jail sentence after he argued he was only a “foot soldier” in the illicit operation.
He pleaded guilty to one count of being knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of duty on the cigarettes and one of possession of criminal property at Newcastle Crown Court.
Ayesha Smart, prosecuting, said HMRC officers attended Tams’ home in October 2015.
She said: “Two vehicles were observed parked opposite the defendant’s home at the garage and the defendant and another individual were seen moving the vehicles into the garage.
“Approximately nine boxes from the rear of the home were transported to the rear of the garage and three to another estate vehicle.
“Both vehicles were registered to the defendant. Officers attended the defendant’s home and arrested him on suspicion of knowingly being concerned in the evasion of excise duty.
“A Volvo motor vehicle were searched and they found four Regal Kingsize boxes, which contained 51,200 cigarettes. In addition, 24 boxes of Regal cigarettes and 220kg of hand rolling tobacco were found. The 24 boxes contained 307,200 cigarettes.”
The court was told Tams made no reply in interview but went on to admit his role within the plot.
Andrew Peterson, defending, said Tams had been persuaded by another person, who he has not named, to get involved. He said: “The defendant was approached by another party. He was the driver and storage facility. He said he would do this as a one-off... It certainly was not his initiation – he was a foot soldier.”
Tams was given a 39-week prison sentence, suspended 24 months. for