Long praises Border Force vigilance in thwarting cigarette and tobacco smuggling attempt

Date published: 2 June 2021

If the smuggling attempts had not been detected, it would have cost the Treasury approximately £7.24 million in unpaid duty and VAT.

In the first operation Border Force officers detected 4.44 tonnes of tobacco that arrived into Northern Ireland from Germany. The container was shipped from Rotterdam to Belfast and was destined for an address in County Down. 36 pallets within the load contained the tobacco which appeared to be Euro Bins Polyester. Markings on the pouches indicate the tobacco originated in Luxemburg. The revenue and VAT evaded would have been approximately £1.44 million.

In the second operation 15.12 million cigarettes were detected at Belfast Docks after two containers were examined after arriving from Vietnam via Rotterdam. The containers appeared to be wooden furniture and were destined for an address in Belfast. A couple of rows of cover load was used at the front, with the boxes of cigarettes behind. Each box contained 40,000 ‘Yett Virginia’ branded cigarettes. The revenue and VAT evaded would have been £5.8 million.

Both seizures were referred to HMRC for further investigation.

Naomi Long said: “Revenue and VAT evasion are not victimless crimes: this is the money we use to pay for our health service, education and infrastructure being stolen to fund all manner of illegal activity. I strongly commend Border Force for their vigilance in seizing these goods. I also urge people not to purchase such goods and play a part in disrupting organised criminality by reporting any suspicious activity to the PSNI. We all need to work together to prevent criminals profiting from their illegal activities, and to bring to justice those who continue to wreak havoc across our communities. As Justice Minister, I will continue to do all I can to support the OCTF partners so that we can all live in a safer Northern Ireland where we respect the law and each other.”

John-Jo Oldham Assistant Director of Border Force NI said: “These seizures demonstrate our commitment in tackling cigarette and tobacco smuggling. Working with our Organised Crime Task Force partners we are determined to stop the illicit trade in tobacco products. This is not a victimless crime and is often linked with other criminality. Children and young people are key targets for those who peddle illegal tobacco and cigarettes, encouraging them to take up smoking and exposing them to crime.”