A police search operation has been launched to trace a missing man last heard from four days ago.
Four tonnes of illegal tobacco worth £1m seized in one of Scotland's biggest HMRC raids
17.01.2023 - 17:07 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Four tonnes of illegal tobacco worth £1 million was seized in one of Scotland's biggest HMRC raids.
Police Scotland and HMRC raided a state-of-the-art factory, capable of evading millions of pounds of duty per year, in West Lothian on January 13. The sophisticated set-up included expensive machinery and insulation to hide noise and smells.
The tobacco recovered was worth an estimated £1 million in unpaid duty. Suspected counterfeit tobacco pouches were also found and seized.
Four men and one woman were arrested and charged in connection with the raid.
Joe Hendry, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “This was one of the largest and most sophisticated tobacco factories we have ever uncovered in Scotland. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to target anyone we suspect of being involved in the illicit tobacco trade.
“The illicit tobacco trade steals money from our vital public services, undercuts legitimate businesses and can fund other crimes that harm our communities.
“We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to report it to HMRC online.”
Detective Sergeant John Irvine, Police Scotland, said: "We will continue to work closely with our partners to disrupt, detect and deter anyone involved in the illicit trade of illegal or counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco.
"We know that due to perceived higher profit margins, criminals can turn to the illicit trade in tobacco, which in turn can lead to other forms of criminality.
“If you have any information or concerns about illegal or counterfeit cigarettes or tobacco within the local community, please get in touch with HMRC or Police Scotland. Alternatively calls can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555
The website celebfans.org is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Popular Celebs
Popular Tags
dailyrecord.co.uk
04.02.2023 / 08:19
Scots man 'loses everything again' after second fire at council flat
A Scots man says he has "lost everything again" after his flat went on fire twice in two years, and claims it was caused by an electrical fault he reported to Fife Council five times.
dailyrecord.co.uk
02.02.2023 / 20:11
'Personal fire service' deployed by Scottish Government to block of flats at risk in Glasgow
The Scottish Government has been forced to fund a "personal fire service" for a massive apartment complex in Glasgow after developers failed to make improvements in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.
dailyrecord.co.uk
02.02.2023 / 18:09
Fire rips through Glasgow takeaway as emergency crews race to the scene
A huge blaze tore through a Glasgow takeaway today sparking an emergency response.
dailyrecord.co.uk
02.02.2023 / 14:29
House where Scots pensioner died in horror fire demolished due to public safety risk
A house where a pensioner tragically died after a fire ripped through the property has been flattened due to safety risks.
dailyrecord.co.uk
31.01.2023 / 16:39
Historic visitor sites across Scotland set to close due to strike action
Historic visitor sites popular with tourists are set to close on Wednesday across Scotland due to strikes.
dailyrecord.co.uk
31.01.2023 / 13:09
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reviewing similar premises in the area following fatal Perth hotel fire
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is working with local businesses to review their fire safety measures after a fatal fire which killed three people and a dog.
dailyrecord.co.uk
31.01.2023 / 07:53
Unemployment in Scotland 'four times higher' than official figures as thousands not looking for work
Unemployment in Scotland is four times higher than official figures suggest, a new report has warned.
dailyrecord.co.uk
31.01.2023 / 01:45
Edinburgh's most 'unsellable home' is four-bed bungalow on the market since 2019
The property market in Edinburgh is known for its quick sales and surging prices and barely a day goes by when it isn't topping some sort of table. But one home in the Scottish capital has been sitting on the market for almost four years, leaving many puzzled.
dailyrecord.co.uk
30.01.2023 / 17:45
Scots pensioner, 82, dies after horror house fire ripped through home in "minutes"
A woman has tragically died in a house fire that ripped through a property in Dumbarton on Sunday afternoon.
dailyrecord.co.uk
30.01.2023 / 08:03
Health bosses issue warning over new pills that could supercharge Scotland's drug death rate
Lethal new pills on the street have sparked a major warning they could fuel Scotland’s drug death toll.
dailyrecord.co.uk
26.01.2023 / 15:59
Four rescued from island on Firth of Forth after being cut off by the tide
Four people have been rescued after they were cut off by the tide on an island in the Firth of Forth.
dailyrecord.co.uk
26.01.2023 / 04:09
Scots man cancer-free after experimental treatment welcomes £3.9m funding boost
A Scots man who is cancer-free after taking part in a clinical trial has welcomed £3.9 million in funding to help further developments in treating the 'insidious' disease. Jim McCallum, 76, from Paisley, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2017 after going to the doctor and hoping he would be told it was a "harmless lump".
dailyrecord.co.uk
24.01.2023 / 17:39
Jenners left gutted by huge fire as aftermath images show burnt out shell of iconic building
The devastating aftermath of the gutted inside of Edinburgh's iconic Jenners building has been revealed in bleak pictures after it went up in flames. Emergency services raced to the scene at 11.29am after receiving reports of a commercial building fire at Rose Street at around 11.30am on Monday January 23.
dailyrecord.co.uk
23.01.2023 / 16:01
Scots couple welcome 'miracle' baby after four miscarriages and a decade of trying
A Scots couple have told of their utter delight after welcoming their 'miracle' baby - after four miscarriages and nearly a decade of trying.
dailyrecord.co.uk
23.01.2023 / 16:01
Old Jenners building on fire as crews race to Edinburgh city centre blaze
Fire crews have raced to Edinburgh city centre to battle a blaze at the old Jenners building.
dailyrecord.co.uk
23.01.2023 / 10:39
Kris Commons in 'patchy' Celtic transfer fear as Ange hit with loaded Brendan Rodgers comparison over Giakoumakis exit
Concerned Kris Commons reckons Celtic could be left scrambling to find a new striker this month - and fears similar deals that brought Mo Bangura and Stefan Scepovic to the club.
dailyrecord.co.uk
23.01.2023 / 08:29
Nick Knowles hits out after Scots disabled kid's charity targeted in second fire attack
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles has hit out after a disabled children's charity he supports was forced to close a vital facility after a targeted fire attack.
dailyrecord.co.uk
22.01.2023 / 08:17
Police Scotland has 25 officers suspended over sexual misconduct allegations
Police Scotland currently has 25 police officers suspended over allegations of sexual misconduct, the Sunday Mail can reveal.
dailyrecord.co.uk
21.01.2023 / 12:57
Residents in fear as fire rips through Scots building in early morning blaze
A huge fire has ripped through a property in Glasgow in the early hours of the morning, sending plumes of smoke into the night sky causing "fear around this for many people".