04/02/2015

Major Seizures In Cross-Border Tobacco Fraud Investigation

A major cross-border tobacco fraud investigation has uncovered illegal operations in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Three premises in Louth and two premises in south Dublin were searched on Tuesday. 334,000 'Minsk' and 'NZ' brand cigarettes were seized, thought to have a retail value of €167,000. A Ford Transit van was also seized.

The cigarettes represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €100,200.

Five people have been arrested by HMRC officers after the discovery of a raw tobacco processing plant involved in a suspected £110m tobacco fraud.

Assisted by the PSNI, HM Revenue and Customs officers searched nine addresses in counties Down, Tyrone and Armagh on Tuesday morning.

12 tonnes of tobacco, two million cigarettes, a tobacco processing plant and £50,000 in cash were discovered.

In Northern Ireland, three men, aged 25, 31 and 35, were arrested in Co Tyrone following the search of a property.

A 52-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were arrested in Co Down following the search of four properties.

In Co Armagh, four properties were searched; three residential and one business.

Twelve tonnes of unprocessed tobacco were uncovered, expected to be worth an estimated £2m in lost revenue, along with one million cigarettes, worth an estimated £250k in lost revenue.

Cash amounting to £30k was seized.

(IT/CD)

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