More on the Revenue & Customs raid in Audlem

Following the story earlier this week on the raid on an HGV in Audlem, we now have further official information, as follows, when an HM Revenue & Customs spokesperson said:-

"I can confirm that HM Revenue & Customs investigation teams were active in

Cheshire last week. As regards the Dutch-registered vehicle stopped in the

Audlem area, I can confirm a large seizure of illicit cigarettes was made -

approximately 2.4 million were discovered in the trailer disguised by a

cover load of plastic products. The examination of the load and final

details are not available at present, however, four million cigarettes would

equate to an estimated £400,000 in evaded duty and VAT. One arrest was made

and the man was released without charge later. The vehicle had entered the

UK at Dover on Thursday and had been under surveillance for sometime."

"This is part of our work to disrupt the illegal trade in tobacco products

across the UK. Smokers who think wrongly they are getting a bargain don't

realise that this trade damages honest businesses, costs billions in lost

revenue and lines the pockets of criminals instead of funding public

services. Cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting is an organised crime,

often linked to money laundering and drugs. Members of the public,

newsagents or the off licence trade who know of any suspicious activities

that may be linked to tobacco smuggling are asked to call our 24-hour confidential

hotline 0800 59 5000."

The raid, which was first reported on Audlem Online, has made a real splash in local newspapers with several running it as their front page lead story

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