Businessman in smuggling gang is jailed

A company director who became a key member in a criminal gang which smuggled more than 64 million fake cigarettes into the UK has been jailed for five years.

By Rob Preece Crime Correspondent

Published 26th Oct 2011, 10:09 BST

Kevin Harle, 48, of Carisbrook Court, Doncaster, is the last of 13 smugglers, including six from Yorkshire, to be jailed for their involvement in the conspiracy.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) found the gang had arranged 25 shipments of cigarettes in a major criminal operation which cost the taxpayer more than £10m in lost duty.

Many of the fake cigarettes were made in Moldova and Ukraine before being hidden in consignments of glass, fruit juice, pickled vegetables and dog food.

HMRC’s assistant director of criminal investigation, John Cooper, said: “This was a daring attempt to rip off smokers and taxpayers by flooding the UK with millions of counterfeit cigarettes.

“With expertly crafted packaging it can be difficult to spot fake cigarettes, but like any other counterfeit product; you have no idea exactly what you’re buying.”