UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers have uncovered about 800,000 cigarettes that were being smuggled in to the country.
They were seized at Southampton Docks, hidden in a number of steel containers that had been made especially for the purpose, reports the Southern Daily Echo.
Regional director south at the UKBA Carole Upshall said: “This is another excellent result and highlights our officers’ expertise and dedication to tackle smuggling.”
She added that ports such as Southampton should not be a soft touch and that potential criminals should have this in mind.
These people have no regard for retailers and the “harm they cause”, Upshall said, and are also only out to make a profit.
An investigation was launched by HM Revenue & Customs earlier this month after six million cigarettes were captured at Dover on 27 August.
