SOUTH WALES: An operation to disrupt the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and alcohol across South Wales uncovered more than 49,000 cigarettes, 60 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco as well as illicit alcoholAn operation to disrupt the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and alcohol across South Wales uncovered more than 49,000 cigarettes, 60 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco as well as illicit alcohol. Around 15 officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with support from the Tobacco Detection Dog Team, visited 19 premises including self-storage units, retail shops and a public house on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 December
More than 49,000 cigarettes and 60kg of hand-rolling tobacco have been recovered during a customs operation in South Wales.
Around 15 officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with support from the Tobacco Detection Dog Team, visited 19 premises including self-storage units, retail shops and a public house on Wednesday and Thursday.
The visits, to locations in Bridgend , Neath, Swansea, Llanelli, Ammanford, Carmarthen and Lampeter led to suspected illegal tobacco and alcohol products being seized from three premises – two in the Swansea area and one in the Lampeter area.
‘Illicit alcohol costs UK around £3.3bn a year’
This included 49,200 cigarettes, 60 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco and 7.3 litres of alcohol.
Colin Spinks assistant director of the Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC , said: “In the run up to Christmas, people may well be tempted to buy cheap tobacco and alcohol but the illicit alcohol and tobacco market costs the UK around £3.3bn a year. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders.
“I would urge people to be mindful of this and would encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 595 000.”
