Four million illegal cigarettes seized in Glasgow

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More than four million illicit cigarettes have been uncovered in Glasgow warehouse.

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In addition, further investigations led to a tobacco factory in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, which was dismantled with the seizure of two industrial mixing machines, a tobacco shredding machine, packaging, and 45kg of tobacco.

In an operation supported by Police Scotland, three men from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, aged between 25 and 34 were arrested and charged with Excise Duty fraud and money laundering offences. Around £20,000 cash was also seized from one of the properties.

Joe Hendry, assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “This is another example of the combined powers our partners at the Scottish Crime Campus and Serious Organised Crime Taskforce have to disrupt, detect and deter the illicit trade of tobacco and other forms of criminality.

“Tackling criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £1.9bn a year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.”

As part of the operation, 50 HMRC officers executed several warrants across Glasgow and Lanarkshire on Thursday (19 November), along with eight officers from Police Scotland.

Three people were arrested, interviewed and charged with suspected Excise Duty fraud and money laundering. The three men have been released pending further investigation.