A Vauxhall van filled with greater than 360,000 unlawful cigarettes has been found by police on a busy Scots motorway.
Officers pulled the car over on the M74 close to junction 8 at Canderside Toll on Thursday, October 13, after receiving intelligence about alleged counterfeit items.
An image launched by Police Scotland reveals the again of the white motor stuffed to the brim with giant cardboard packing containers containing the ‘Platinum’ cigarettes. The illicit items have a tobacco tax obligation value an estimated £160,106 and have since been seized.
The male driver, 42, has since been arrested and charged in reference to offences beneath the Customs and Excise Administration Act 1979.
A Police Scotland spokesperson mentioned: “Round 1.55pm on Thursday, 13 October, 2022, Street Policing Officers carried out an intelligence-led cease of a white Vauxhall Vivaro van on the M74, close to junction 8 at Canderside Toll.
“A search of the car resulted within the restoration of roughly 360,000 counterfeit cigarettes.
“The driving force – a 42-year-old man – was arrested and charged in reference to the restoration. The matter has been handed to HM Income and Customs.”
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