| UK. HM Revenue and Customs determined to stamp out smuggling at Hull & Immingham ports |
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| Thursday, 05 October 2006 | |
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HMRC news: Customs appeal to local communities and businesses to support a 3-month crackdown on smugglers. A 3-month crackdown on smugglers who bring illegal goods into the UK through Humberside and North Lincolnshire is being launched today by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and they are appealing to the public and local businesses for their support. The crackdown comes weeks after smugglers failed in an attempt to flood the region with fake cigarettes hidden inside a delivery of rotten lettuces. Customs officers are particularly looking at stamping out the illegal importation of contraband cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco and deadly street drugs through the regions key ports at Hull and Immingham. The last few months have seen a substantial increase in the level of smuggled cigarettes and particularly of hand-rolling tobacco in and around Humberside and the region still remains a hot-spot for the importation of illegal street drugs such as Heroin, Cocaine and Ecstasy. Since the beginning of the year HMRC have prevented over £16 million worth of illegal goods from hitting the streets of Humberside and North Lincolnshire. The hauls include more than 29 million cigarettes, 4,000 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco and nearly 1.6 tons of illegal street drugs such as cannabis, heroin and cocaine. HMRC Head of Detection for the North of England, John Kinghorn, hopes to expose the smuggling gangs targeting the area and is keen to gain the support of local communities and businesses: "Humberside is one of the worst areas in the UK for the illegal importation and sale of hand-rolling tobacco. People sometimes assume that smuggling, especially tobacco smuggling is a fairly low level crime and often the public turn a blind eye to it but what they don't realise is that it means big business for criminals and their gangs. This is far more than passengers simply bringing back a few extra cigarettes or a little more tobacco. These gangs are professional outfits who will go to great lengths to smuggle in goods. They are making a hefty profit at the expense of the honest taxpayer and local communities and are their profits back into drug and street crime across the Humber region." Customs officials across Humberside are undertaking a high-profile campaign during October, November and December to raise awareness of the problem in local communities and in particular they are targeting local businesses. John Kinghorn: "We want the support of local businesses especially those involved in the import and export of goods. The presence of the docks at Hull and Immingham is fantastic for the local economy but obviously it provides an access point for smugglers. We want to make sure that local communities and local businesses pull together and support us, to ultimately help reduce the levels of local crime." John added: "Smuggling provides the funding for much larger criminal operations such as people trafficking or major fraud. For these reasons alone we need to flush out the criminals involved in this activity." HMRC are keen to raise awareness on the dangers of counterfeit cigarettes, which are also on the increase across the region. Counterfeit cigarettes are completely untaxed and unregulated, carry increased health risks and now account for nearly 50% of cigarettes smoked in the region. An HMRC expert on counterfeit cigarettes explained: "Many smokers think they are getting a good deal but these cigarettes are usually cheap because they not the genuine article. Counterfeit cigarettes are even worse for your health than normal cigarettes and it is not easy to tell the difference between a genuine cigarette and a counterfeit cigarette, until it is too late. " Do you know someone who is selling cheap or duty free cigarettes & tobacco from their house? *Is someone selling cheap or duty free cigarettes and tobacco where you work? *Have you seen large amounts of cigarettes and tobacco products being loaded or unloaded in your area? If you have information about any of these activities HMRC urge you to come forward and help us crack down on the criminals in your area and have set up a dedicated number where members of the public can call to give information in confidence. And they do not have to give us their name or personal details. The number is 01482 785 840, the line is open from 6:30am to 10:00pm every day. Members of the public can also call 0800 59 5000, this line is open 24 hours a day or email us on customs.confidential@hmce.gsi.gov.uk. . John Kinghorn also sends a strong message to those criminals who think that cigarette smuggling is fair game: "HMRC are determined to stamp out this illicit trade. We already work closely with local businesses, and with other law enforcement agencies such as the police and international agencies to make sure that we catch smugglers and ensure they are prosecuted." |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 October 2006 ) |
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