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Police seize 13,000 illegal cigarettes in Belfast raids

News imageHMRC Illegal tobacco discovered in a safeHMRC
Police say they are committed to combating the 'illicit trade of illegal tobacco'

More than 13,000 cigarettes and five kilos of hand-rolling tobacco have been seized in Belfast.

Police and customs officers searched 11 properties in north and west Belfast on Tuesday.

Officers also seized £6,000 in cash under the proceeds of crime act, and a 44 year-old woman was arrested and later released on bail.

Steve Tracey, assistant director with HMRC said illegal tobacco costs the UK £2.5 billion a year.

News imageHMRC Illegal tobaccoHMRC
Customs officers and police seized illegal tobacco in Belfast

He added: "Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market.

"This is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders".