132,000 pints of 'suspected illegal beer' seized at ferry port

A haul of suspected illegal beer that is equivalent to 132,000 pints has been seized at a ferry port in Cairnryan.

HMRC confirmed that around 75,000 litres of “illicit” beer was seized between February 23 and 28 following a joint operation between Police Scotland and the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce HMRC.

A joint statement from Police Scotland and HMRC said they “will not tolerate” the sale of illegal alcohol.

They added that the disruption of criminal trade is at the centre of the HMRC’s strategy to clamp down on the illicit alcohol market which costs the UK around £1b per year.

Supplied

Anyone with information regarding the sale of illegal beer or any tax fraud has been urged to contact the HMRC online.

An HMRC spokesperson said: “We can confirm a total of 75,000 litres of suspected illicit beer was seized at Cairnryan Port between 23 and 28 February 2024 following a joint operation with Police Scotland.

“As committed partners of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce HMRC and Police Scotland will not tolerate the sale of illegal alcohol.

“Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of HMRC’s strategy to clamp down on the illicit alcohol market which costs the UK around £1b per year.

“Anyone with information about any type of tax fraud can contact HMRC online.”

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