FOUR people have been arrested after more than a tonne of tobacoo was seized at Southampton Container Port.

UK Border Agency officers discovered the stash hidden within specially constructed insulation panels in a 20-foot cargo container at the port.

As a result HMRC began a criminal investigation, resulting in the arrest of two men and two women on Thursday 21 July at addresses in London and Sussex.

It is estimated that £150,000 in revenue was evaded on the 1.1 tonnes of tobacco, which could have made over 2 million cigarettes.

All four have been bailed until 25 October 2011. The UK Border Agency have been alerted, as two of the four are in the UK illegally.

Two properties, one in Worthing, West Sussex and one in Leytonstone, East London have been searched by HMRC and investigations are ongoing. A 36 year old Chinese man, living illegally in the UK with no fixed address, was arrested in Worthing, along with a 28 year old Chinese man, living legally in Leytonstone, East London, arrested in Worthing, West Sussex.

Meanwhile, a 38 year old Chinese woman, living illegally in Cowes, Isle of Wight, arrested in Worthing, West Sussex.

A 30 year old Chinese woman, living legally in Leytonstone, East London, arrested in Leytonstone.

All four were arrested for being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty chargeable on tobacco.

HM Revenue & Customs spokesman Bob Gaiger said: “This appears to be a highly organised attempt to smuggle tobacco into the UK. This type of crime costs the UK economy around £2billion a year, money that is needed to fund vital public services. Anyone with information about tobacco smuggling should contact the Customs’ Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”