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Three held over tobacco smuggling Two bailed in cig smuggling case
(about 1 hour later)
Two men from Northern Ireland and a third from England have been arrested over the smuggling of millions of cigarettes. Two men from NI arrested over the smuggling of millions of cigarettes have been released on bail. A third man from England is still in custody.
The men are being questioned about one of the largest ever international tobacco smuggling operations. The men were being questioned about one of the largest ever international tobacco smuggling operations.
The operation involved the manufacture and smuggling of cigarettes from the Far East into the UK and the Republic.The operation involved the manufacture and smuggling of cigarettes from the Far East into the UK and the Republic.
The arrests followed raids on both sides of the border and in Cambridgeshire.The arrests followed raids on both sides of the border and in Cambridgeshire.
SeizedSeized
HM Revenue and Customs said the raids were part of an international investigation into tax evasion and money laundering.HM Revenue and Customs said the raids were part of an international investigation into tax evasion and money laundering.
During the raids, officers seized documents, computers and mobile phones.During the raids, officers seized documents, computers and mobile phones.
The Criminal Assets Bureau in the Republic was also involved, carrying out raids in Cork, Meath and Louth.The Criminal Assets Bureau in the Republic was also involved, carrying out raids in Cork, Meath and Louth.
John Whiting, HMRC Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation, said the investigation had been ongoing for 18 months.John Whiting, HMRC Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation, said the investigation had been ongoing for 18 months.
He said excise fraud cost UK taxpayers an estimated £3bn a year.He said excise fraud cost UK taxpayers an estimated £3bn a year.