A Kilmarnock construction worker has been jailed after admitting a £95,000 excise duty fraud when more than 324,000 illicit cigarettes were found in the back of his van.
Thomas Donnelly, 39, of the town's Old Rome Road, pleaded guilty to the charge late last year and was sentenced at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Monday.
Police stopped Donnelly's hire van on the M74 at Wamphray, Dumfriesshire on the morning of February 28, 2019.
During a search of the vehicle, several boxes containing thousands of cigarettes were discovered with HMRC officials subsequently contacted.
Revenue & Customs officers seized the haul and interviewed Donnelly, who admitted travelling to Manchester to buy the cigarettes.
It was confirmed that over 324,000 cigarettes had been found which was worth £95,239.80 in lost duty and taxes.
Appearing for sentencing, Donnelly was jailed for 12 months.
Lynsey Thompson, operational lead with HMRC's fraud investigation service, said: "The sale of illegal cigarettes will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies. This is theft from the taxpayer which undercuts local businesses and now Donnelly is paying the price.
"Cheap cigarettes come at a cost as they often fund organised crime and other illegal activity. If you know anyone smuggling, selling or storing illicit cigarettes, you can report it to HMRC online."
A spokesperson for Police Scotland added: "Officers received a report of a vehicle speeding on the motorway near Wamphray, Dumfries and Galloway, on the morning of February 28, 2019.
"The vehicle was stopped and a search of the vehicle was carried out. A sizeable amount of illegal cigarettes were discovered and the recovery shows the good work of officers in preventing these cigarettes from reaching our communities.
"We will continue to work closely with our partners to disrupt, detect and deter such criminality and would encourage anyone with information or concerns about illegal or counterfeit cigarettes or tobacco within the local community to contact Trading Standards or Police Scotland on 101."
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