Uncovered: The tobacco stash

by James Scott

A dozen men have been arrested on suspicion of smuggling 1.4 tonnes of rolling tobacco.

The men, between the ages of 19 and 78, were arrested at a farm near Ashford on Tuesday following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The revenue on the seized tobacco is approximately £200,000.

Around 60 HMRC investigators, assisted by police officers, searched one commercial and six residential properties during the operation.

HMRC's assistant director for criminal investigation Martin Brown said: "We estimate that the loss of excise duty in this case runs into millions of pounds.

"Yesterday's activities send a clear message to those tempted by this type of crime - we take excise fraud and the trade in smuggled tobacco goods extremely seriously and will pursue anyone involved in this type of criminality."

Those arrested included: two men from Pluckley aged 41 and 78, three men from Hothfield aged 25, 27 and 40, two men from Bethersden aged 19 and 34, two from Chatham aged 24 and 37, a 30-year-old man from High Halden, a 25-year-old from Shadoxhurst and a 31-year-old Polish man.

All of them have been released on bail pending further enquiries.