Failed Smuggling Attempt results in Fines

On Tuesday 17^th July 2007 , Officers from the Customs and Immigration Service seized 7,000 cigarettes from two passengers who had arrived in the Island on a flight from Doncaster .

The passengers concerned were James Alexander CLARK, aged 20, and Nicola Karen LOWTHORPE, aged 30, both from Hull .

A total of £1,050 in excise duty was evaded and the two were jointly charged with an infraction of Article 61(2)(a) of the Customs and Excise ( Jersey ) Law 1999.

Both appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 18^th July before Magistrate Mr I. Le Marquand. CLARK and LOWTHORPE both pleaded guilty. They were fined £500 each. Customs have seized the 7000 cigarettes concerned.

Comment by Gary Le Neveu , Assistant Director, Revenue and Goods Control:

“Whilst the Customs and Immigration Service has powers to deal with small scale revenue infractions on the spot, more serious cases will always be fully investigated. If it is suspected that a fraudulent attempt to evade excise duty has been made, the Service will not hesitate to bring appropriate action”.