Lorry raid nets 6.5m cigarettes

People are being warned of the dangers of counterfeit cigarettes

A major operation to smuggle 6.5m cigarettes has been uncovered at Belfast docks.

Four different brands of cigarettes were found in a container on the back of a lorry arriving at the docks on Tuesday night.

Customs officials opened the container doors and saw rows of roof space insulation, but behind those were the contraband cigarettes.

It is the biggest seizure of its kind for a year. One man has been arrested.

Customs officials will not disclose where the shipment had arrived from.

BBC Newsline reporter Julian O'Neill said: "What's not clear yet is whether these are counterfeit, or duty free, but either way they would have been sold on the black market for a few pounds a packet.

"All in all, a criminal gang may have profited to the tune of £1.5m."