Border Force has revealed its officers found the biggest ever haul of illegal cigarettes into the UK after seizing a truck at the Port of Hull. According to the force, an astonishing 99 million cigarettes were discovered in the back of the lorry, which had been shipped via the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Hull Live has reported that the incident happened on June 1, 2022 but has only now been confirmed by HM Revenue and Customs. A 57-year-old man from south Wales was arrested in July in connection with the seizure and was released on bail, while another man from the Birmingham area has been interviewed under caution. Investigations are ongoing.
HMRC said the unpaid tax on the cigarettes was worth around £44m. Brands shown in pictures of the load included Marshall and Mayfair.
