Bootlegging clampdown hit by legal block

Government efforts to clamp down on bootlegging have been dealt a blow following a man's legal bid to bring in large quantities of booze and tobacco.

Businessman Adrian Mudie is taking Customs & Excise to court after he was prevented from bringing in large quantities of tobacco and alcohol from France. Mr Mudie is claiming that his human rights were breached when officers confiscated his vehicle carrying nearly 6,000 cigarettes, 20 kilograms of rolling tobacco and 38 bottles of spirits.

European Commission guidelines set limits of 800 cigarettes, one kilogram of tobacco and 10 litres of spirits for each traveller. If anyone is caught bringing in more than the specified amount it is up to them to prove that it is for personal use and not for resale, Customs & Excise said.

But Mr Mudie is arguing that restricting the amount he can bring into Britain and confiscating the goods infringes his rights. If he wins the case, the Government may have to rethink its policy on bootlegging.

This comes on the back of news that British customs officers have been continuing to clamp down on holiday-makers who bring alcohol back into the UK, despite recommendations from the European Commission that they relax their rules.

The trade is keen for the Government to reduce smuggling, which is estimated to cost the pub trade £150m every year and has resulted in the closure of many rural pubs.

However, Customs & Excise minister Paul Boateng said the Government had no intention of lowering duty, but instead preferred to concentrate on stamping out smuggling at ports.

Trade leaders are planning to lobby ministers to consider a cut in duty in the run up to the pre-Budget speech by the Chancellor at the end of the month.

Related stories:​

Customs to clamp down on "booze cruisers" (31 July 2001)

Boateng rules out cut in duty (06 July 2001)