Thousands of pounds worth illicit tobacco, alcohol seized from Derry City stores

Customs officers have seized thousands of pounds worth of illicit tobacco and alcohol from retail premises in Derry City, stated recent reports

According to local reports, HM Revenue and Customs, supported by police, attended six premises in Derry city on Tuesday (5) and seized what it believed to be illegal tobacco and alcohol products.

During the searches, 19,000 cigarettes, 5kg of hand rolling tobacco, £2,300 in cash and 116 litres of illicit alcohol were seized, reports said, adding that the value of the seizure is believed to be around £10,500.

Investigators also seized 116 litres of illicit alcohol – consisting of 100 litres of beer, 12 litres of spirits and 4.5 litres of wine.

"HM Revenue and Customs, supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, visited several retail premises in Derry city seizing what are believed to be illicit tobacco and alcohol products,” a HMRC spokesperson said.

"As part of the operation, HMRC officers, supported by PSNI’s District Support Team, conducted searches in six locations.

"In total, 19,000 cigarettes and 5kg of hand rolling tobacco were seized along with £2,300 in cash and 116 litres of illicit alcohol. The seizure is worth an estimated £10,500 in evaded duty.

"Investigations are continuing."

The news comes a month after over 6,000 cigarettes and a quantity of rolling tobacco were seized from eight shops in Derry on Feb 22.