Millions of contraband cigarettes and thousands of litres of spirits were seized by Northern customs officers close to the south Armagh Border. Three men from Co Down and Co Armagh were arrested and are being questioned about what Customs officers believe to be a massive smuggling operation.
Contraband with a duty liability of more than £1 million was recovered. A customs spokesman said 11 million cigarettes and 14,400 litres of spirits were seized in Mountnorris, south Armagh. Two men were charged by customs officers last night in connection with the haul. The men, John Convery (40) from Johnston's Road, Newry, Co Down, and Edward Magill (34), a pallet dealer from Poyntzpass, Co Armagh, are due to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court today charged with the fraudulent evasion of duty. A Customs and Excise spokesman said a third man had been released without charge pending further inquiries.