'Absent minded' smuggler sentenced (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)
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Harwich International Port: 'Absent minded' smuggler sentenced
3:00pm Sunday 11th November 2012 in News By Helen Barnett
A BOTCHED attempt to smuggle thousands of pounds worth of tobacco through Harwich was uncovered - after the culprit left the contraband in a port cafe.
David Carr, 44, left seven suitcases full of tobacco and cigarettes in the passenger cafe waiting area of Harwich International Port while he gave his friend a lift in his car.
Officers found 78 kilos of tobacco and 2,800 cigarettes in the cases, which had his name on, and a further 10,000 cigarettes in the boot of his car. The revenue evaded was estimated as £15,800.
Carr, of 6 Ocknell Grove, Hythe, Southampton, admitted smuggling offences at to HM Revenue and Customs investigators that he had been very foolish.
He was arrested on the August 7 in Harwich and was charged with smuggling offences at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, November 8, and ordered to pay back £15,800 within 28 days or face a default sentence of nine months in jail.
The cigarettes and tobacco have been destroyed.
