POLICE and Customs investigators have arrested a Co Derry man after more than seven million cigarettes were seized.
The joint operation, involving the PSNI and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), happened on Monday, August 30, when a lorry trailer was stopped near Toome.
HMRC have said the find of suspected counterfeit cigarettes was worth an estimated £3 million in lost duty and taxes.
The 28-year-old man, who is from Magherafelt, was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
Steve Tracey, assistant director of HMRC’s fraud investigation service, said the sale of illegal tobacco costs the UK “around £1.9bn a year”.
“This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders,” he added.
PSNI Chief Inspector Mervyn Seffen explained that the joint operation sends a “powerful message to those engaged in this type of criminality that they will be detained and brought before the courts”.
“Those trading in illicit cigarettes can be involved in other organised criminality which brings misery and harm to local communities,” he said.
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