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British Airways Cabin Crew Member Sentenced for Tobacco Smuggling

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A British Airways cabin crew member has been sentenced to 120 hours of community punishment after using his position to illegally import tobacco into the UK. Christakis Lambrou, a British national, was stopped by UK Border Agency officers at Heathrow Airport in August 2009 while attempting to board a flight to Geneva. Officers discovered 2,000 cigarettes and 6kg of hand-rolling tobacco in his hand luggage and car boot, with a further 11,760 cigarettes and 5kg of hand-rolling tobacco found at his home in Staines. Lambrou had pleaded guilty to evading duty on 74,440 smuggled cigarettes and 12kg of hand-rolling tobacco, resulting in a potential revenue loss of around £18,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • Christakis Lambrou, a British Airways cabin crew member, was sentenced to 120 hours of community punishment for using his position to illegally import tobacco into the UK.
  • Lambrou was stopped by UK Border Agency officers at Heathrow Airport in August 2009 with 2,000 cigarettes and 6kg of hand-rolling tobacco in his hand luggage and car boot.
  • A further 11,760 cigarettes and 5kg of hand-rolling tobacco were found at Lambrou's home in Staines.
  • Lambrou had pleaded guilty to evading duty on 74,440 smuggled cigarettes and 12kg of hand-rolling tobacco.
  • The potential revenue loss from the smuggled tobacco is estimated at around £18,000.
  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) worked closely with UK Border Agency officers to disrupt the smuggling operation.
  • Members of the public can help fight cigarette and tobacco smuggling by contacting the customs hotline on 0800 59 5000.

Statistics:

  • 2,000 cigarettes were discovered in Lambrou's hand luggage and car boot.
  • 6kg of hand-rolling tobacco was found in Lambrou's hand luggage and car boot.
  • 11,760 cigarettes and 5kg of hand-rolling tobacco were found at Lambrou's home in Staines.
  • 74,440 cigarettes and 12kg of hand-rolling tobacco were smuggled by Lambrou.
  • The potential revenue loss from the smuggled tobacco is estimated at around £18,000.

Sources:

  • M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX on 30 August 2010
  • COMTEX on 30 August 2010

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