More than 50,000 cigarettes seized from Polish lorry at Killingholme Port
MORE than 50,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized from a lorry at Killingholme Port.
The illicit haul was concealed in a specially-adapted lorry that arrived in the UK by ferry from the Hook Of Holland.
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STASH: The illicit haul was concealed in a specially-adapted lorry.
The cigarettes were discovered by UK Border Force officers hidden inside hollow metal beams underneath the trailer's load.
The lorry, which was carrying a load of cosmetics to Doncaster, was registered in Poland and had a Polish driver. The vehicle and the cigarettes have been seized, but no further action will be taken against the driver.
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Sam Bullimore, of UK Border Force, said: "This was an excellent seizure, which came about as a direct result of the skill, expertise and technical knowledge of our officers. Our staff work constantly to keep our border secure, and to make life as tough as possible for smugglers.
"Cigarette smuggling is not a victimless crime. It defrauds the public purse out of huge sums of money at a time when the country can least afford it.
"The gangs behind this sort of criminality are also often involved in other serious organised crime."
The seizure took place on Friday, September 7, and followed a number of drug seizures at neighbouring Immingham Docks.
As reported, an estimated £65 million worth of cocaine was seized by Border Force officials between June and the end of August from three vessels that had travelled from Colombia.
The drugs were discovered hidden in loads of coal being transported into the port from Puerto Prodeco.
And in a separate incident, another 10 kilos of cocaine were found concealed in a lorry on a ferry from Rotterdam.
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug or cigarette smuggling can call the smuggling hotline on 0800 595000.
Comments
by clareee
Monday, September 24 2012, 9:51AM
“wondering how many people are gutted because their supplier has no fags ;)”
by s_pike
Sunday, September 23 2012, 8:30PM
“Strike a light this story has become a drag, it first appeared last Tuesday.”
by steelfxr
Sunday, September 23 2012, 11:45AM
“wandering how many have got through to line the pockets of eastern european gangsters.”
by redone66
Friday, September 21 2012, 1:49PM
“Any one at customs need a lite ?”
by oOrotavatorOo
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 4:59PM
“4everblue, same argument holds true for any drug, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine etc”
by The0racle
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 2:26PM
“You could charge a £1 for 20 fags and there will always be someone trying to get them for 75 pence.”
by 4everblue
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 1:55PM
“It is a catch 22 situation, taxes too high on cigs in Britain,..... smuggle..... there is a market for them! Bring down taxes on cigs......market for smugglers gone.
That way the police and border control would not be searching for cigs.....therefore saving time and money.
If taxes are too high on any products legal or not, Joe public will always look for a cheaper way to acquire what he wants........The Government take us for fools at THEIR peril.....they caused the smuggling in the first place!!!!!”