One million suspected fake cigarettes seized at Manchester Airport

An attempt to smuggle more than a million cigarettes into the UK hidden has been stopped by Border Force at Manchester Airport.

Staff found the cigarettes in six foot stools seized between 23rd December 2017 and 2nd January 2018.

The cigarettes were in Lambert and Butler boxes but are suspected to be fake.

If the smuggling attempts had have been successful it could have cost the Government approximately £375,000 in unpaid tax.

Paul Airlie, Deputy Director of Border Force North, said:

“These significant seizures, 1,012,800 cigarettes in total, are testament to the expertise of Border Force officers who are working every day to prevent illegal importations, no matter how well they are concealed.

“The black market cheats honest traders and it is effectively stealing from the public purse. By stopping the consignments Border Force has starved those responsible of the proceeds of their criminality.”

Anyone with information about smuggling can report it via 0800 59 500