HMRC seize more than 75,000 litres of illegal beer at Scots port

HMRC have seized more than 75,000 litres of illegal beer during a week-long surveillance op at a port.

Officers recovered the equivalent of 132,000 pints worth of lager after they swooped on the P&O terminal during a week-long operation in partnership with Police Scotland.

The ferry route links with Larne in Northern Ireland.

It is understood the illicit booze had traveled from the Republic of Ireland, through the north, and into Scotland using HGV transporters.

At least three lorries were stopped by customs staff carrying out targeted searches for the contraband at Cairnryan

Pictures taken between February 23 and 28 show officers searching the vehicles thought to be carrying the bevvy.

One truck is stripped of its panels to reveal wooden crates of products on the flatbed.

HMRC confirmed last night they’d undertaken the operation to recover the suspected illicit beer alongside Police Scotland as partners in the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce.

Illegal alcohol costs the UK around £1billion a year in lost revenue from taxes,

The raids come as the minimum price of alcohol in Scotland is set to soar by 30 per cent under Scottish Government plans.

SNP ministers seeking to address the country’s booze-related hospital admissions and deaths are looking to hike costs.

Deputy First Minister Shona Robison revealed last month the minimum unit price would rise from 50p to 65p.

If Holyrood agrees to the plans, alcohol will become more expensive from September 30.

An HMRC spokesman said: “We can confirm a total of 75,000 litres of suspected illicit beer was seized at Cairnryan Port between 23 and 28 February 2024 following a joint operation with Police Scotland.

“As committed partners of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce HMRC and Police Scotland will not tolerate the sale of illegal alcohol.

“Disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of HMRC’s strategy to clamp down on the illicit alcohol market which costs the UK around £1billion per year.