Police swoop uncovers illegal tobacco factory

AN ILLEGAL tobacco factory has been uncovered during a raid on a house in Glasgow, according to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Officers seized tobacco worth more than 38,000 in unpaid duty and VAT from a property in Govanhill on Thursday, along with counterfeit packaging, heat sealers and scales. In addition, 17,600 illegally imported counterfeit cigarettes were also seized.

During another operation with Strathclyde Police, more than 4,000 pouches of counterfeit tobacco, worth 50,440, were taken from a vehicle stopped on the M77.

HMRC said the tobacco originated in China and is of poor quality. It is packaged in counterfeit 50g Golden Virginia pouches carrying small Benelux tax stamps to dupe the public into thinking the tobacco is genuine.

Michael Connolly, at HMRC, said: "Tobacco factories like this are packaging low-quality tobacco and I'd urge people to be wary."