The cigarettes have an estimated duty loss of almost £2m (2,000,000.00 GBP =
3,300,367.63 USD).
John Whiting, of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC's purpose is to make sure that the money is available to fund the UK's public services): "Tobacco smuggling is not a victimless crime. "The huge profits reaped from the sales of illegal cigarettes are ploughed straight back into the criminal underworld, feeding activities like drug dealing and fraud. "Purchasing cheap cigarettes without the duty paid on them means trading with criminals, and undermining honest businesses."
Maggie Eyden, of the UK Border Agency in Northern Ireland said: "UK Border Agency and HMRC are committed to stamping out the problem of cigarette and tobacco smuggling. "This criminal activity undermines public health by creating a cheap and unregulated supply."
Reference: 9m cigarettes are seized at docks in Belfast, Northern Ireland, BBC News Channel, 7/29/2009.
Top image - Coat of Arms of Northern Ireland..
No comments:
Post a Comment