From: The Rugby Observer
By Dan Santy
A SMUGGLER who attempted to bring in over 13 million counterfeit cigarettes along with three other men has been jailed for three years.
Long Lawford man Russell Baker was caught in April 2010 entering Dover port driving refrigerated lorry full of black shrink wrapped pallets containing millions of cigarettes.
The 49-year-old had documents claiming he was transporting ice cream – but when customs officers swept the lorry, and another in the same smuggling ring, they discovered over six million cigarettes with a tax value of over £1 million.
Baker, who had served with the Royal Signals, was arrested and charged with fraudulent evasion of duty.
He was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court in Kent along with the owner of the lorry he was driving, Terrence Crowhurst, another driver, Timothy Shaw, and the gang’s organiser, Douglas Allison.
John Cooper assistant director of criminal investigation for HM Revenue and Customs, said: “These four men are criminals who were motivated purely by greed, not caring who they harmed.
“They were just out to make a huge profit at the expense of honest taxpayers.
“The revenue evaded could have been spent on public services like schools and hospitals for the benefit of the whole community.
“The sale of smuggled cigarettes is unregulated and these products are often sold to children and young people.
“Shopkeepers also suffer when sales are lost to the criminals who peddle these harmful, and often counterfeit, illegal goods.”
Crowhurst, of Oaklea Way in Uckfield, East Sussex, was given 33 months in jail, while Shaw, of Macrius Way, Motherwell, got 21 months.
Ringleader Allison, of Agnew Crescent, Stranraer, is on the run and is believed to have fled overseas. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
In his absence he was sentenced to six years and six months in prison for each offence to run concurrently.
