LONDON: A London man who used a specially adapted coat in a bid to smuggle cigarettes into the UK has been sentenced after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) carried out an investigation.
Jabbar Sattar (63)was arrested at Stansted Airport when he arrived on a flight from Marrakesh, Morocco on 16 April 2015.
Officers from Border Force found 6,400 Marlboro Gold cigarettes in his luggage and a further 800 cigarettes hidden inside his coat.Sattarhad attempted to create a secret compartment by cutting the lining and using safety pins to hold the goods in place.
Paul Barton, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said:
“Sattar thought he was clever – that by designing a concealed pocket in his clothing he could avoid being caught. He ignored previous official warnings, believing his actions as a serial tobacco smuggler would have no serious impact. He was wrong and will now have to deal with the consequences of his criminal activity.
“We work closely with our colleagues at Border Force to disrupt and detect smugglers and will always look to take action that fits the crime.”
