Woman arrested as 40,000 suspect cigarettes seized
A WOMAN was arrested and more than 40,000 suspected illicit cigarettes seized by customs officials.
The woman was interviewed by officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) last Thursday after 6,000 cigarettes and tobacco packaging were discovered at a business address in south Belfast. She was later released on bail.
Earlier, HMRC officers seized over 36,000 cigarettes at a business address in north Belfast. In total 42,000 cigarettes worth an estimated £15,000 in evaded duty were seized.
Details of the operation were announced yesterday.
Steve Tracey, assistant director at HMRC’s fraud investigation service, said: “HMRC will continue to target the supply of illicit tobacco, which costs the UK around £2.5bn a year.”