Police seize 13,000 illegal cigarettes in Belfast raids

Image source, HMRC

Image caption, 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 拢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 拢2.5 billion a year.

Image source, HMRC

Image caption, 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".