Jail for Illegal Tobacco Trader

Source from:  news.bbc.co.uk 26 September 2008  09/27/2008

A Lanarkshire man has been jailed for 12 months for illegally selling more than 370 kilos of hand rolling tobacco. David Russell, 38, of Glenfinnan Grove, Bellshill, also admitted evading the £40,000 UK duty due. He was arrested in February 2007 after HM Revenue and Customs officers searched his home and vehicles. Russell was sentenced on Friday at Hamilton Sheriff Court, and ordered to return to court in November for a confiscation hearing. Passing sentence, Sheriff Marie Smart told Russell: "This is a crime that strikes at the very heart of society". 'Health risks' Following the court case, HMRC assistant director of investigation in Scotland, John Fitzcharles, said: "Tobacco smuggling creates a cheap and unregulated supply operated by and for the benefit of criminals, undermining legitimate traders. "HM Revenue & Customs investigators have prevented a substantial amount of illicit tobacco from reaching our streets, and unlawfully depriving the UK public services of £40,000." He added: "Those selling illicit tobacco products are stealing around £3bn from the UK Exchequer each year. In addition, counterfeit cigarettes pose extra health risks to the public due to the exceptionally toxic ingredients they can contain." Following Mr Russell's arrest, HMRC investigators began a financial investigation to assess the proceeds of his criminal conduct. A confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act, in respect of the £40,000 duty evaded by Russell, has been set for 7 November 2008. Enditem