CIGARETTES and tobacco, valued at more than £9,000, were seized in a series of raids across the North-east made by HM Revenue and Customs officers looking for smuggled excise goods last week.
The Inland Detection Teams, working alongside officers from the local Trading Standards Office, visited five business premises in Fraserburgh and Peterhead.
In addition, officers made similar visits in Aberdeen and Elgin during the operation.
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total of 36,733 cigarettes and 7.8kg of hand rolling tobacco were recovered across the North-east on Friday and Saturday.
Officers also found 255 suspected counterfeit DVDs and, in one raid, two passports were also taken away for further inspection. A spokesman for the HMRC confirmed that the UK Border Agency had been notified of this discovery Michael Connolly, Assistant Director Specialist Investigations HMRC, said: "HMRC along with our partner agencies are tackling tobacco fraud at all points of the supply chain, from smuggling and storage, through to sale and we are now using new technology to quickly identify the illegal and counterfeit products.
"The unregulated sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco is not a victimless or harmless crime, and encourages otherwise honest people to trade with criminals.
Customs officer Ron Barrie (left) and principal Trading Standards officer Kevin Fleurs examine some of the contraband tobacco sized from a Fraserburgh hsop. Picture: Duncan Brown
"The gangs behind this form of criminality are motivated solely by greed and personal gain. Their lavish lifestyles cost the taxpayer around £3 billion per year in unpaid duty.
"Our teams will pursue businesses or people involved in selling (illicit alcohol and tobacco products) on which the duty has not been paid."
They are asking local people to work more closely with them in the fight against crime and is encouraging anyone who is aware of illicit tobacco products being sold to contact the Customs Hotline 0800 59 5000 or email customers.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
A spokesperson for Trading Standards said: "The activities in Aberdeenshire are being supported by members of Aberdeenshire Council's Consumer Protection team."
Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee chairman, Councillor Peter Argyle, told the Herald: "The exercise highlights that action can be taken at any time by either HM revenue and Customs or our own consumer protection officers, and sends a very clear message that we will no tolerate any circulation of illegal goods."
