Illegal Tobacco Factory Located in Hampshire

HMRC have uncovered an illicit tobacco processing factory at an industrial unit in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.

On November 19th after raiding the tobacco factory, HMRC officers discovered around a tonne of tobacco and counterfeit tobacco pouches along with duty labels and processing machinery. The unit was located after two men were arrested at a road check led by Warwickshire Police at Warwick services, M40. Their van was holding roughly half a tonne of processed tobacco.

HMRC's Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, John Cooper said:

"Working closely with our partners at Warwickshire Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, we have uncovered and closed down an illegal tobacco processing operation. Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market, which costs the UK around £2.1 billion a year in lost revenue. This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders. Anyone with information about the illegal production or sale of tobacco should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."

The tobacco confiscated could have filled 30,000 50g tobacco pouches, evading roughly £300,000 in duty tax.

The men; a 36 year old from Portsmouth, and a 28 year old from Glasgow, were both arrested on suspicion of involvement of fraudulent evasion and have been interviewed by HMRC. They are released on bail until May 2015. No further information has been reported at this point as investigations are still under way.