Millions of cigarettes seized at Stansted
18.03.08
Millions of cigarettes and a huge quantity of hand rolling tobacco have been seized at Stansted in the last 3 months. 4.5 million cigarettes and almost a ton of hand-rolling tobacco were seized as part of standard controls during the period.
Some of the confiscations were in freight arriving at the airport but the majority came from travellers through Stansted. One man even trying to pass through the green channel with 2000 cigarettes strapped around his waist, and more in the lining of his suitcase. A woman tried the same trick, but with cigarettes strapped to her children's legs. Another passenger claiming to be in the country for a holiday, had no clothes in his case as it was loaded full with cigarettes.
HMRC's spokesman Maddy Ratnett said some people had not checked the quantities which can legally be brought back into the UK, but many have flouted the rules in an attempt to bring in illegal loads.
All the items seized by HMRC are recycled as part of a national initiative to reduce waste from smuggling activities. One ton of shredded tobacco would light a 100 watt light bulb for 18 months.
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