Three arrests after eight million cigarettes seized in Newry

By Q Radio News

Millions of suspected illegal cigarettes worth an estimated £3m in lost revenue have been seized in Newry.  

A heavy goods vehicle with a refrigerated unit, a van and a fork lift truck were also recovered along with £12,000 and €2,000 in cash.

Three men - aged 34, 37 and 55 - were arrested. 

An Garda Síochána and the PSNI assisted the HMRC operation yesterday morning.

The operation led to a further eight searches across the border carried out by the JATF’s Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána, with almost €100,000 euros, thousands of duty stamps and approximately two and a half tonnes of hand rolling tobacco being confiscated.

Steve Tracey, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:  “HMRC and our partner agencies are continuing to work together and are prepared to deploy where necessary to disrupt and dismantle the illicit trade of tobacco and other forms of criminality. 

“Multi-agency investigations mounted by the Joint Agency Task Force show what can be achieved by our ongoing cross-jurisdictionalcooperation to tackle criminality.

“Our collaboration, even during a global pandemic, demonstrates that we are committed to working with each other, at every level and in every location to tackle organised crime on a cross border basis.  As we did today, we will take all measures necessary to ensure we can continue to carry out this important work successfully.” 

Detective Superintendent Rowan Moore, from Police Service NI’s Criminal Investigation Branch, added: “We are committed to working alongside our partner agencies to combat the illicit trade of illegal tobacco and put those who seek to profit from criminality before the courts.

“Those trading in illicit cigarettes may be funding terrorism and criminality which brings misery and harm to local communities and today’s action sends a powerful message to those engaged in this type of criminality.”

Meanwhile John O’Reilly, Revenue Commissioners’ Investigation and Prosecution Division, said: "Revenue is determined and resolute in its own efforts and in collaboration with An Garda Síochána to tackle all forms of smuggling and illicit activity in relation to tobacco and other products.”