Cigarettes and tobacco worth 拢2m seized in County Tyrone

Image source, HMRC

Image caption, The cigarettes and tobacco are worth an estimated 拢2 million in duty and taxes

A 70-year-old man was arrested after millions of pounds worth of cigarettes and tobacco were seized by customs officials and police.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officials supported by the police seized the items during a search of a premises in Coalisland, County Tyrone, on 27 April.

The cigarettes and tobacco were worth an estimated 拢2 million in duty and taxes.

The 70-year-old man has since been released on bail.

The search was part of an operation to disrupt the sale and supply of suspected non-UK duty paid goods.

More than 3.7 million non-UK duty paid cigarettes, 300kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 拢7,000 in cash were seized, HMRC said.

Image source, HMRC

Image caption, The items were found in County Tyrone

Lucie Irving, assistant director of the fraud investigation service at HMRC said the trade in smuggled cigarettes and tobacco undermined legitimate traders.

Det Supt Emma Neill called for anyone with information about the sale of smuggled cigarettes and other goods to contact the police.