A CIGARETTE smuggler from Helsby who bought 67,000 cigarettes from Abu Dhabi to sell on for a profit was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.
Unemployed Paul Adam, 48, of Primrose Lane, Helsby, claimed the £10,000 worth of cigarettes were bought on the ‘spur of the moment’ while on a family holiday packed into six brand new suit cases.
He was caught at Manchester Airport in August by UK Border Agency officers and later pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.
Mike O’Grady, of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) criminal investigations, said: “It was clear that Adam intentionally tried to smuggle these cigarettes into the UK for criminal profit.
“Cigarette smugglers cheat the country of revenue vital to funding public services like hospitals and schools.
“Smuggling also has a devastating impact on honest retailers.”Š
Further investigations by the HMRC discovered Adam borrowed £10,000 to buy the cigarettes.
Appearing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, Decemer 13, Judge Rudland also gave Adam a 12 month community order.
Anyone with information about illegal smuggling activities should call the Customs’ Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
