Cigarette Smuggler Jailed

A haulage company owner has been jailed for three and a half years for attempting to smuggle almost 3.2 million cigarettes into the UK through Dover and evading over £500,000 in duty.

Mamode Rafiq Allyman (56), a Chatham haulage company owner was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court after an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). He was stopped by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers on 16 July 2009, as he arrived at Dover on a ferry from Calais. The 1,888,800 'Raquel' and 1,307,600 'Gold Classic' branded cigarettes were found in shrink wrapped brown boxes during a search of the vehicle. When questioned, Allyman initially told officers that he had loaded the trailer in Holland, but once the cigarettes were discovered, he told officers that he had travelled to Calais and swapped trailers with one of his drivers who had collected a load from Holland.

Bob Gaiger regional spokesman for HMRC said: "HMRC works with UKBA to identify and prosecute those who attempt to smuggle cigarettes into the UK. Cigarette smuggling is not a victimless crime and we will not hesitate to pursue those responsible. It costs the UK millions of pounds in lost revenue each year, money that could be used to fund vital public services. Anyone with information about the importation or sale of smuggled tobacco should call the Customs' Hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk."

Confiscation proceedings are in place.