Tobacco and alcohol seized in Shropshire

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Tuesday, 6 February 2018 10:29

An operation to disrupt the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and alcohol in Telford and Shrewsbury has uncovered more than 25,000 cigarettes, 18 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco and nearly 3,500 litres of alcohol, all believed to be illicit.

Around 30 officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with support from West Mercia Police and Telford and Shropshire Trading Standards, visited five shops and twoself-storage units on Thursday February 1.

The visits, part of HMRC's Tobacco Taskforce activity, led to suspected illegal tobacco and alcohol products being seized from five premises. This included:

25,680 cigarettes, with an estimated £6,852.35 duty and VAT evaded
18.25 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco, with an estimated £3,731.69 duty and VAT evaded
3,489 litres of alcohol, with an estimated £5,276.97 duty and VAT evaded
One car was also seized by officers.

Paul Fisher, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: "The sale of illegal tobacco and alcohol will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies. Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2.5 billion a year, and the sale of illicit alcohol which costs the UK around £1.3 billion per year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.

"We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."

Five shop owners were interviewed by HMRC officers and investigations are ongoing.