Illegal tobacco smuggler jailed after Dover arrest
By Jack Ewing
A Romanian man has been jailed for 16 months after attempting to smuggle 1.8 tonnes of tobacco worth £544,000 into the UK.
George Bracecal, 27 admitted the charge of fraudulent evasion of tobacco duty at Maidstone Crown Court.
His lawyer Nadia Semlali said that he was deeply remorseful for his actions which she described as a “one off moment of madness”.
The court heard how on the 22nd of November last year Mr Bracecal’s van was stopped by police at Dover after crossing the channel to come into the UK.
Mr Bracecal told police that the van was transporting fridges, wine and clothing.
However, police became suspicious and searched the vehicle and found 1.8 tonnes of tobacco worth £544,000 of unpaid tobacco duty.
Mr Bracecal said he had stopped off in Luxembourg and was approached by a man who wanted him to transport the tobacco. He initially refused.
Shortly after, he was then approached again by the man and another person this time offering between £1000 and £2000 for the smuggled goods. He accepted the payment and transported the tobacco.
In delivering the verdict, Judge Robert Lazarus said the offence committed by Mr Bracecal and others like it “robs the UK of considerable sums of money”.
The judge also explained that this offence would usually come with a suspended sentence but in this case it was ‘completely unworkable’ as Mr Bracecal stays in Romania and does not have a UK address.
People serving a suspended sentence in the UK must remain under the supervision of the probation service.
The defence had appealed for a suspended sentence but that was rejected by the judge.
However, the judge did reduce the sentence due to the “very significant unfairness” of Mr Bracecal not being able to serve a suspended sentence in the UK.
Mr Bracecal has a wife and young baby at home and the judge considered these circumstances in reducing the sentence.
