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Gang behind 'UK's largest' illegal tobacco factory jailed Gang behind 'UK's largest' illegal tobacco factory jailed
(32 minutes later)
A gang that ran what could be the UK's largest illegal tobacco factories in a £10m fraud scam have been jailed. A gang that ran what could be the UK's largest illegal tobacco factory in a £10m fraud scam have been jailed.
The factory, in County Durham, could produce 140 packs of cigarettes a minute, according to customs officers.The factory, in County Durham, could produce 140 packs of cigarettes a minute, according to customs officers.
The operation was run by John Watson Snr, 47, from Doncaster, Terrence Jacques, 60, of Bishop Auckland, and Russell Haywood, 48, from Barnsley.The operation was run by John Watson Snr, 47, from Doncaster, Terrence Jacques, 60, of Bishop Auckland, and Russell Haywood, 48, from Barnsley.
They and seven other members of the group were jailed at Sheffield Crown Court for excise fraud.They and seven other members of the group were jailed at Sheffield Crown Court for excise fraud.
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said the group ran a highly sophisticated and well organised illegal operation and the factory was the largest it had ever found.Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said the group ran a highly sophisticated and well organised illegal operation and the factory was the largest it had ever found.
Customs officers uncovering the factory at a farm unit at Crook, County Durham, when they raided several properties in County Durham and South Yorkshire in November 2015. Customs officers uncovered the factory at a farm unit at Crook, County Durham, when they raided several properties in County Durham and South Yorkshire in November 2015.
More than 24 tonnes of tobacco and 500,000 cigarettes were found along with the machinery to make cigarettes.More than 24 tonnes of tobacco and 500,000 cigarettes were found along with the machinery to make cigarettes.
Watson Snr and Jacques were responsible for setting up and operating the factory and Haywood would arrange distribution across the north of England, HMRC said.Watson Snr and Jacques were responsible for setting up and operating the factory and Haywood would arrange distribution across the north of England, HMRC said.
Watson Snr at the time earned less than £15,000 a year, as a director of Doncaster Greyhound Stadium, but had spent £180,000 on cars and a holiday for 18 people.Watson Snr at the time earned less than £15,000 a year, as a director of Doncaster Greyhound Stadium, but had spent £180,000 on cars and a holiday for 18 people.
When Jacques was arrested at his home officers found a bag containing £46,500 in cash. Watson Snr's fingerprints were on the bag.When Jacques was arrested at his home officers found a bag containing £46,500 in cash. Watson Snr's fingerprints were on the bag.
Other members of the gang were also arrested following the raids.Other members of the gang were also arrested following the raids.
HMRC said Aleksandras Seremetjevas and Mindaugus Aleksandravicius, both from Lithuania, were responsible for running the factory and managing the workers there.HMRC said Aleksandras Seremetjevas and Mindaugus Aleksandravicius, both from Lithuania, were responsible for running the factory and managing the workers there.
The cigarettes would then be moved to a nearby garden centre where Edward Kennyford, from Doncaster, would arrange to transfer them to vans driven by Christopher Wallace and Steven Quigley, both from Barnsley.The cigarettes would then be moved to a nearby garden centre where Edward Kennyford, from Doncaster, would arrange to transfer them to vans driven by Christopher Wallace and Steven Quigley, both from Barnsley.
John Watson Jnr, from Doncaster, would help in loading the cigarettes while the garden centre owner, John Seaman, of Stanley, would ensure the security cameras were switched off as the cigarettes were moved. John Watson Jnr, from Doncaster, would help in loading the cigarettes while the garden centre owner, John Seaman, of Stanley, Co Durham, would ensure the security cameras were switched off as the cigarettes were moved.
Another two men, Paul Drummond, from Tipton, and Ryan Lowe, of Barnsley, were later seen transferring cigarettes worth £96,326 in unpaid duty outside a storage facility in Barnsley. Another two men, Paul Drummond, from Tipton, West Midlands, and Ryan Lowe, of Barnsley, were later seen transferring cigarettes worth £96,326 in unpaid duty outside a storage facility in Barnsley.
Seven of the 12 gang members admitted excise fraud at hearings at Leeds and Sheffield crown courts in 2019.Seven of the 12 gang members admitted excise fraud at hearings at Leeds and Sheffield crown courts in 2019.
The remaining five men were convicted following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.The remaining five men were convicted following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Two remaining members are due to be sentenced in April.Two remaining members are due to be sentenced in April.
The gang members were:The gang members were:
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