Huge haul in Belfast
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Karen Miles.
• A lorry driver has been charged with smuggling a record-breaking haul of tobacco and alcohol following a Customs swoop at Belfast docks.
Northern Ireland-based driver David Stevenson was arrested and charged under Section 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1989 by Belfast magistrates. His semi-trailer was found to contain large quantities of contraband concealed in wooden boxes and on pallets among empty fish boxes. Customs in Northern Ireland say the haul contained almost three guar. ters of a tonne of tobacco, 1.2 million cigarettes, 1,000 litres of beer and 45 litres of wine. In addition the truck was running on red diesel.
The swoop took place as the lorry, operating from the Kilkeel area, arrived in Belfast off the ferry from Heysham, Lancs. It had previously crossed the Channel on a ferry from Calais.
This find is the largest of its kind in Northern Ireland and follows the recent signing of the Excise Alliance in which Customs joined 18 other bodies to combat alcohol and tobacco fraud and smuggling.