65m cigarettes seized during investigation

Edward Francis Magill, aged 38, from Poyntzpass, County Armagh, but with an address at Ravensdale, County Louth, was remanded in custody and the others were released on bail.

All five were accused of evading customs duty on what was described as a significant number of cigarettes.

A senior Customs investigating officer objected to Mr Magill being released on bail.

He said the defendant was believed to be the head of the smuggling operation and it was estimated that he and his associates had made in the region of �20m over the past four years.

The other men charged were Brian Goodman, 30, from Annaghad Road, Crossmaglen; Michael Hogg, 35, from Edencrieve, Newry; William McChesney, 41, from Kiltariff Park, Rathfriland; and Alan McKenzie, 42, from Castlemore Avenue, Belfast.

The Customs officer told the court the investigation involved 340 million smuggled cigarettes, of which 65 million had been seized.

These included the 8.5 million found in a cargo ship at Warrenpoint docks last August after it arrived from Rotterdam.

A prosecuting lawyer said the revenue loss to the Exchequer was in the region of �65m.