17 November 2011
Officers have intercepted approximately 10.4 million cigarettes that were being transported though the North Shields ferry terminal.
The seizure was made from a lorry trailer that arrived into the port aboard a ferry from Holland. The total amount of duty payable on the load would have been in the region of £1.9m.
The haul, made on the 16 November 2011, included a range of cigarette brands, including Regal kingsize and a previously unseen variety called 'Manchester'.
Both the haul and the lorry have now been confiscated while HM Revenue & Customs carry out investigations into the seizure.
A 40-year-old Bulgarian man was arrested in connection with the seizure. He has now been released on bail until a later date as investigations are carried out.
Maggie Eyden, assistant director at the UK Border Agency said:
'Cigarette smuggling is not a victimless crime. It undercuts honest traders and defrauds the Treasury of large sums of money at a time when the country can least afford it.
'The gangs involved in such activity also often have links to serious organised crime.
'In addition to making seizures like this, our officers are working day and night to prevent illegal drugs and dangerous weapons, as well as illegal immigrants, from reaching the UK.'
