MORE than a billion illegal fags were seized last year as gangs flooded Britain’s black market.
Border Force alone intercepted 927million cigarettes.
It is the third year in a row seizures have risen.
Government figures show 783million cigarettes were seized in 2022-23, climbing to 888million the following year.
When HMRC hauls are included, 1.19billion cigarettes — said to be worth £496million — were kept off Britain’s streets.
High taxes are fuelling the surge, with illicit packs on sale for as little as £4.50 — a third of the price of legal smokes.
Reform MP Lee Anderson said: “If Labour can’t stop lorries full of cigarettes, what chance have they got of controlling the flow of illegal immigration?
“Instead of protecting our country, they’ve taxed people into the hands of criminals.”
Britain is now the third-biggest consumer of illicit cigarettes in Europe, despite having one of its lowest smoking rates.
A 2024 report by accounting firm KPMG found one in four cigarettes smoked here is illicit.
HMRC admitted £3.1billlion in excise tax was lost in 2024 to smugglers, counterfeiters and black-marketeers.
Tobacco accounted for £1.4billion of that and beer for £700million.
Former Crime Stoppers International chief Shane Britten warned smuggling routes could be used for other goods linked to serious crime.
He said: “Cigarettes could become weapons or narcotics — or even people.
“For crime syndicates, the item they choose is a function of risk vs reward.”
More than a billion illegal cigarettes were seized last year as gangs flooded Britain’s black market[/caption]
Trust up in smoke
By LEE ANDERSON Reform MP for Ashfield
IF you want proof Labour has lost control of our borders just look at the trade in illegal cigarettes.
For every dodgy crate stopped, countless more are slipping into the UK.
If Labour cannot stop container loads of cigarettes, what chance do they have of stopping mass immigration?
The Prime Minister’s big idea to tackle criminal gangs is to impose digital ID cards.
The only thing that will curb is the liberties of hard-working Brits.
