A lorry carrying almost two million smuggled cigarettes has been stopped at Dover.

The driver, a 50 year old Polish man, has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling the illicit load into Dover Ferry Port, via Calais.

The cigarettes were discovered hidden among general freight by Border Force officers at the port.

The matter was referred to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) criminal investigators, who estimate the revenue loss to be around £429,000.

HMRC spokesman Bob Gaiger said: “HMRC takes cigarette smuggling seriously and will continue to work closely with our Border Force colleagues to combat tobacco crime, which costs the UK economy around £1.8bn a year. People with information about smuggling and duty evasion can contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

Investigations are ongoing. The man has been released on bail until 29 November 2013.