A large-scale illegal tobacco factory capable of producing 1.5 million cigarettes a day has been shut down in Newry, County Down.
The operation, described as one of the “most sophisticated” ever found in Northern Ireland, was dismantled following a joint raid by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Officers seized more than 1.25 million cigarettes and nine tonnes of tobacco from the site, with an estimated £3m in unpaid duty.
The factory was equipped with professional extraction systems, noise insulation and expensive machinery, reported HRMC.
Seven men have been arrested and investigations are ongoing, according to HMRC.
Dermot Clarke, operational lead at HMRC’s fraud investigation service, said the discovery marked a major blow to the organised criminals believed to be behind it.
“The illicit tobacco trade steals money from public services, undercuts legitimate businesses and funds other crimes that impact our communities,” said Clarke.
HMRC is encouraging anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to report it online.
Click the right arrows for more pics of the factory
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