FIVE million cigarettes have been seized by customs officers as experts warn illegal tobacco is “devastating communities”.
Border Force officers found about 250,000 packets of cigarettes, worth an estimated £1million in lost revenue, stashed in a refrigerated food truck as it arrived at the Port of Ipswich.
Today campaigners and councillors claimed sales of cheap illegal tobacco were largely targeted at young people and “brings crime to our communities”.
One study, which suggested that youngsters are four times more price sensitive than adults, said almost a third of people in Suffolk have been offered illegal tobacco (28 per cent) and 14pc admit to buying it.
Elspeth Gibson, chairman of the Suffolk Tobacco Control Alliance, said: “The criminal gangs that sell smuggled cigarettes are not concerned with who buys them, and do not care who they sell to.
“Unfortunately this often includes children and young people who are under age.
“As well as causing criminals to prey upon our children, purchasing illegal tobacco brings other crime to our communities and undermines legitimate businesses.”
Councillor Colin Spence, portfolio holder for public protection, said people did not necessarily understand the consequences of buying smuggled cigarettes.
“It is a scary fact that illegal tobacco also goes hand in hand with the sale of drugs and alcohol, with child exploitation and money laundering.”
Clare Merrills from HM Revenue and Customs said one man had been arrested in connection with the cigarettes discovered at Ipswich Port last Tuesday.
I think this is an illegal hauling of cigarettes. They must prevent this but I think that is not easy because they are keep in a heavy hauling trucks since that kind of trucks are huge and not easy to find.
ReplyDeleteheavy hauling