Acton Cigarette Smuggler Jailed

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Hid cigarettes in a secret pocket in his clothes

An Acton man who used a specially adapted coat to smuggle cigarettes into the UK has been given a jail sentence.

Jabbar Sattar (63) of Reade Court, Stanley Road, W3 was arrested at Stansted Airport when he arrived on a flight from Marrakesh, Morocco on 16 April 2015.

Officers from Border Force found 6,400 Marlboro Gold cigarettes in his luggage and a further 800 cigarettes hidden inside his coat. Sattar had attempted to create a secret compartment by cutting the lining and using safety pins to hold the goods in place. 

Paul Barton, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said:

“Sattar thought he was clever - that by designing a concealed pocket in his clothing he could avoid being caught. He ignored previous official warnings, believing his actions as a serial tobacco smuggler would have no serious impact. He was wrong and will now have to deal with the consequences of his criminal activity.

“We work closely with our colleagues at Border Force to disrupt and detect smugglers and will always look to take action that fits the crime.”

Sattar was stopped on three previous occasions at UK airports when he tried to smuggle:

•             4,200 cigarettes on 13 January 2015 at Gatwick Airport

•             9,000 cigarettes on 5 December 2014 at Luton Airport

•             5,600 cigarettes on 17 December 2011 at Gatwick Airport  

All the cigarettes were seized and Sattar was charged with all four offences. The total revenue loss is around £7,000. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

Anyone with information on suspected tobacco smuggling is encouraged to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.

 

 

 

24th July 2015