Seven Million Cigarettes Seized At Dover

Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) have seized approximately 7.1 million cigarettes, concealed under pallets of grapes that were being transported by lorry through the Port of Dover. The cigarettes were discovered on 24th August 2008 after officers stopped a lorry that had arrived on a ferry from France at Dover's Eastern Docks. The cigarettes and vehicle have been seized. The revenue evaded was approximately £1.1 million.

The driver of the lorry, Efthymios Galanopolous, 43, from Messynias, Kalamata in Greece, was interviewed by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigation officers and was subsequently charged with duty evasion. He appeared at Dover Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 26th August), was remanded in custody and will reappear there on 1st September 2008.

Georgina Myles, spokeswoman for HMRC at Dover said: "HM Revenue & Customs, along with the UK Border Agency, is working at the forefront of the fight to tackle cigarette and tobacco smuggling at ports and airports throughout the UK. HMRC take a very serious view of cigarette and tobacco smuggling. It is not a harmless tax fiddle. This type of activity harms honest businesses and costs the UK billions of pounds in lost revenue that ends up lining the pockets of criminals instead of funding vital public services. We will not hesitate to take action against those involved in cigarette smuggling."

Anyone with information relating to smuggled goods should contact HMRC's hotline number on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk