Illegal goods seized in County Armagh

Illegal alcohol and cigarettes were among the items recovered

Smuggled and counterfeit goods with an estimated value of £500,000 have been seized as part of a major pre-Christmas crackdown by customs officials in Northern Ireland.

The seizure, in the Jonesborough area of County Armagh was part of a joint operation with the police.

Sixty thousand duty free cigarettes, 150 kilos of hand rolling tobacco, 6,000 liters of alcohol and a huge quantity of illegal fireworks were among the items recovered.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy welcomed what she called "a further strike against organised crime".

Smuggling on this scale is not a victimless crime that does no-one any harm, but it is highly organised criminal gangs that are involved

Customs spokesperson

"The seizure of illegal goods by customs officials with police support, is a very significant blow to organised crime in the area", she said.

The minister stressed that the public also had a central role to play in the fight against organised crime.

"Criminals will trade in illegal goods only if there is a market for them," she said.

A customs spokespersons said the operation would have a direct impact on the availability of alcohol and cigarettes to young people in the province.

"Smuggling on this scale is not a victimless crime that does no-one any harm, but it is highly organised criminal gangs that are involved.

"It draws people into links with organised crime, attacks the livelihood of legitimate traders and in particular makes cigarettes and alcohol cheaper and more accessible to children."