Customs bust €430k smuggling run

CUSTOMS officials in Calais have seized almost two tonnes of contraband cigarettes from a lorry that was detained shortly before it was due to board a ferry to England.

Officers discovered boxes containing the cigarettes hidden under bags of used clothes in trailer of the Hungarian-registered vehicle last week, though details of the seizure were only released today.

None of the boxes bore tax stamps. More were found in the cab, among the driver’s belongings, authorities said.

In total, 8,662 cartons of cigarettes - with an estimated value of €430,000 were confiscated by customs officers.