Lorry Driver Jailed For Cigarette Smuggling

A Kent based lorry driver who drove through the Customs controls at Dover's Eastern Docks without stopping was jailed on Monday (23 February 2009) for five years, after being found guilty of smuggling 7,169,400 cigarettes and evading revenue of over one million pounds.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that on the 27th January 2006 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers at Dover's Eastern Docks Inward Freight controls attempted to intercept a lorry which had arrived on a ferry from Calais. The vehicle failed to stop and drove out of the docks. Following a search of the local area by officers the truck minus its trailer was found in a lay by on the A256.

The driver, Manuel Alves Alves was sitting in the cab and said he had dropped the trailer at the north bound M2 Medway services. The service station was searched but the trailer was not found. HMRC officers then discovered the abandoned trailer at the Adelaide Café on the A258 some seven miles from the lay by in which he was parked. The trailer was searched and the cigarettes were found hidden in the load. The revenue evaded amounted to £1,080,792.00.

Malcolm Bragg, Investigation Assistant Director for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said: "This was an excellent result for our Officers and illustrates that we will pursue those who attempt to avoid border controls. This is not a harmless tax fiddle, it cheats the Government of revenue which can be used to fund public services such as schools and hospitals. HMRC will not hesitate to take action against those involved in cigarette and tobacco smuggling. Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to cigarette and tobacco smuggling should call the HMRC 24-hour hotline on 0800 59 5000."