UKBA Took Gloss Off Smugglers Day

UK Border Agency officers found 70,000 cigarettes hidden in the false bulkhead of a freshly-painted vehicle at Dover's Eastern Docks.

Officers searched the lorry after it had arrived on a ferry from Calais on 11 February. They were suspicious as the trailer had a strong smell of fresh paint and had only been very recently painted. Further investigation found the bulkhead had a double skin approximately three inches deep containing the 70,000 cigarettes held in place with elastic "bungee" cords.

Paul Booth Assistant Director of Border Force South for the UK Border Agency said: "UK Border Agency officers work tirelessly to detect and prevent tobacco and cigarettes from being smuggled into the UK. This is not a harmless tax fiddle, it harms honest businesses, and costs the UK billions of pounds in lost revenue that could be used to fund hospitals and schools.

"Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

The revenue evaded on the goods was about £13,600.