A 36-year old man has been arrested at Tilbury Docks on suspicion of smuggling 2.5 million cigarettes into the UK in a consignment of mixed goods.
The haul, worth around £580,000 in lost revenue, was seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on Monday 17 November 2014, after detection by Border Force officers.
Jennie Kendall, spokesperson for HMRC, said:
“This was a substantial haul of illegal cigarettes, destined for sale on UK streets through black market profiteers. Tobacco smuggling costs the taxpayer over £2 billion a year in lost revenue and has a devastating impact on legitimate retailers and local communities.
“Anyone with information regarding tobacco smuggling and fraud should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
The cigarettes, branded as Gold Mount, had arrived from Zeebrugge.
The man, a German national, was questioned by HMRC officers under caution and has been bailed until 21 January 2015.
