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Crime Desk The Government's attempts at cracking down on the growing problem of illicit cigarettes has today seen the ringleader of a criminal gang been jailed for five years for illegally purchasing and possessing 2.3 million cigarettes at airport duty free shops.
Michael Pitt (47) from Islington, London was sentenced along with five other accomplices.
An investigation by HM Revenue & Customs found that some members of the gang purchased the cigarettes in the duty free shops at airports across the UK using counterfeit boarding cards, or one-way open tickets. The duty evaded between February 2009 and May 2010 was £545,933. Martin Brown, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation for HMRC, said: “Our officers uncovered a sophisticated and highly organised fraud by this gang led by Michael Pitt, whose motivation was pure greed. The effect of this type of criminal activity on legitimate retailers can be devastating and billions of pounds are lost in duty each year, money which should be available for public services. I would urge anyone with information about this type of crime to call the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email: [email protected]”
Three members of the gang sentenced today, Michael Pitt (47), Kevin McGee (28) and Mike Ewens (38) all from London, would purchase the cigarettes in the duty free shops at airports across the UK using counterfeit boarding cards, or one-way open tickets. They would then either exit the airport though domestic arrival channels, or travel internally on a domestic flight to continue the fraud at other duty free shops. Michael Pitt was also charged with fraud for producing and supplying the counterfeit boarding cards that were used.
Two other gang members John Cooper (57) and Kenneth Chapman (68) both from Essex, would distribute the cigarettes. They were observed leaving Pitt’s house with bags suspected to contain duty free cigarettes.
Tracey Smith (44) from Manchester was found guilty of evasion of duty after evidence proved that she was an active member of the gang and in regular contact with Pitt. She facilitated the fraud by selling the majority of the cigarettes to gang members at Manchester Airport’s duty free shop, where she worked as a sales assistant.
The gang members were sentenced at Hove Trial Centre today (7 September 2024).
Two other members of the gang are due to be sentenced in October. photo credit: HMRC press office
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