A GERMAN man was arrested at Tilbury Docks on suspicion of smuggling 2.5 million cigarettes into the UK.

The haul, worth around £580,000 in lost revenue, was seized by HM Revenue and Customs on Monday The 36-year-old was arrested after detection by Border Force officers.

The Gold Mount cigarettes had arrived from Zeebrugge in Belguim.

Jennie Kendall, spokesperson for HMRC, said: “This was a substantial haul of illegal cigarettes, destined for sale on UK streets through black market profiteers.

“Tobacco smuggling costs the taxpayer over £2 billion a year in lost revenue and has a devastating impact on legitimate retailers and local communities.”

The man has been bailed until January 21.

Anyone with information regarding tobacco smuggling and fraud should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.