CUSTOMS have seized half a tonne of fruit tobacco at Southampton Container Port suspected of being smuggled into the country from Dubai.

A 52-year-old British man was arrested by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigators on suspicion of tax evasion after border force officers discovered 550 kilos of the tobacco in a 20 foot cargo container.

The man was arrested at a business address in Hounslow, South West London.

HMRC officers later uncovered £4,300 in cash during the search of a residential property.

It is estimated that over £60,000 in revenue was evaded on the fruit tobacco, which was hidden in a container purporting to contain “soft drinks and household goods”.

Fruit tobacco is a form of “shisha tobacco” which is usually flavoured with a combination of molasses and fruit. It is often smoked through a pipe known as a hookah.

HM Revenue & Customs spokesman Bob Gaiger said: “The fruit tobacco appears to have been smuggled into the UK on a container ship from Dubai. This type of crime undercuts legitimate retailers and costs the UK economy around £2billion a year.”

The man has been bailed until July 25. Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information about tobacco smuggling should contact the customs' hotline on 0800 59 5000.