Men face smuggling charge

A customs officer and a businessman have been charged in connection with the smuggling of six million cigarettes into Northern Ireland.

James Sloan, 52, whose address was given as Customs House Square, Belfast, and Robert Ferguson, 44, from Deramore Park, Belfast appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

They were charged with evading duty on the cigarettes which were seized by customs last January.

The defendants also faced a further charge of disclosing information about customs operations contrary to the Official Secrets Act.

Mr Ferguson was also charged with money laundering involving £100,000.

They were remanded on bail until 25 November.