Customs officers who seized one million cigarettes from a lorry in Basildon believe they were smuggled in by big-time crooks.
Officers swooped on the German-owned lorry - parked in a layby on the Southend-bound A127 between the A128 and Five Bells junctions - after being alerted by Essex Police.
A search of the cargo of flat-packed furniture revealed the Sovereign brand cigarettes - believed to be worth over £100,000.
The lorry driver was interviewed by Customs and Excise officers but was later released while inquiries continue.
John Barber, regional Customs spokesman, said: "Large consignments of cigarettes like this are not being brought into the country by chancers.
"It is big business organised by clever and sophisticated criminal gangs whose profits are ploughed back into other criminal activity.
"These people are not necessarily just involved in smuggling but use the money to finance other organised crime activities."
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2003
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