HMRC Seize Counterfeit Cigarettes From Industrial Estate In North Tyneside Weeks After Price Rise

From: Sky/Tyne and Wear (UK)

By Andy Hughes

Up to 105,000 counterfeit cigarettes have been seized from an industrial  estate in Tyne and Wear – weeks after a 5 percent hike in the price of  tobacco.

Officers from HM Revenue & Customs discovered the haul during a raid on a warehouse in North Tyneside.

More than 82 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco was also found during the operation.

The seizure comes six weeks after the Government raised the average price of a packet of 20 by 37p.

Sources believe the haul may have a direct link to the recent price rise.

The brands seized include Superkings Blue, Lambert & Butler, Richmond and Gold Mount.

A sniffer dog found the haul as part of a HMRC investigation into counterfeit tobacco products.

The criminals behind the scam were planning to cheat the taxman out of more than £30,000 by dodging excise duty.

A spokeswoman for HMRC confirmed the details of the seizure, but refused to comment further as the raid was part of a larger investigation by officers.

If you know of someone storing or selling illegal tobacco, call the HMRC hotline on 0800 595 000.

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