A MAN has been jailed for six years for evading duty on 6.8 million cigarettes.
Paul James Stanley, 39, of Axwell Park Road, Blaydon, Gateshead, was jailed in his absence yesterday at Newcastle Crown Court after being found guilty of smuggling 6.8 million cigarettes with a street value of £1.8m.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
After the case, Customs' assistant chief investigator, Paul McDonald, said: "Tackling tobacco smuggling is one of our priorities and this case demonstrates our commitment to detect and prosecute individuals involved in this activity."
The cigarettes arrived in Goole, Humberside, in November 2002, concealed in hollowed out pine logs. The logs were being supplied from St Petersburg, Russia, to Alan Blair Demolition Ltd, a company run by Stanley in Blaydon.
A routine examination revealed that many of the logs had been bored out at each end and filled with cigarettes.
Customs will be seeking a confiscation order.
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