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| 22m counterfeit cigarettes found | 22m counterfeit cigarettes found |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The biggest ever single haul of counterfeit cigarettes in Wales has been discovered in Cardiff. | The biggest ever single haul of counterfeit cigarettes in Wales has been discovered in Cardiff. |
| The fake branded Classic Gold and Raquel cigarettes were hidden in three 40ft containers, within a cargo of bed linen and towels on a ship from Dubai. | The fake branded Classic Gold and Raquel cigarettes were hidden in three 40ft containers, within a cargo of bed linen and towels on a ship from Dubai. |
| Customs officers found the consignment, worth £5m just before Christmas. It was the biggest haul in the UK last year. | |
| Investigation officers have been working to find the source of the haul and where its UK destination. | Investigation officers have been working to find the source of the haul and where its UK destination. |
| They say the investigation into the seizure which was made on 19 December are continuing. | They say the investigation into the seizure which was made on 19 December are continuing. |
| Details have only now been revealed because of the sensitivities of inquiries, previously. | Details have only now been revealed because of the sensitivities of inquiries, previously. |
| Andrew Pavlinic, assistant director of criminal investigation, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said: "The sheer quantity involved in this attempt suggests that these cigarettes could have ended up in locations across the UK. | Andrew Pavlinic, assistant director of criminal investigation, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said: "The sheer quantity involved in this attempt suggests that these cigarettes could have ended up in locations across the UK. |
| "Had it been successful, it would have undermined the business of honest traders who only sell duty paid tobacco products. | "Had it been successful, it would have undermined the business of honest traders who only sell duty paid tobacco products. |
| "We have prevented UK consumers from being conned into buying cigarettes which are counterfeit and could have more serious risk to health than legitimate brands. | "We have prevented UK consumers from being conned into buying cigarettes which are counterfeit and could have more serious risk to health than legitimate brands. |
| Mr Pavlinic added: "The huge profits reaped from the sales of these cigarettes would have been ploughed straight back into the criminal underworld, feeding activities like drug dealing and fraud. | Mr Pavlinic added: "The huge profits reaped from the sales of these cigarettes would have been ploughed straight back into the criminal underworld, feeding activities like drug dealing and fraud. |
| "Buying cheap, smuggled cigarettes isn't a bargain - it means trading with criminals," he said. | "Buying cheap, smuggled cigarettes isn't a bargain - it means trading with criminals," he said. |