A Lithuanian carpenter who smuggled 161 kilos of tobacco into Portsmouth using a modified camper van was jailed for 16 months today following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
His female accomplice received an eight month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a 12 month supervision order.
Raimundas Duoba (39), who also uses the name ‘Tomas Basiulis’, and Giedre Giliene (34) evaded £39,000 in revenue on the tobacco which was discovered by UK Border Agency officers searching Duoba’s camper van on 21 June 2010 at Portsmouth Ferry Port. The vehicle arrived by ferry from Bilbao, Spain. The matter was referred to HMRC for criminal investigation.
Duoba used his carpentry skills to build hiding places inside the camper van, enabling the smugglers to conceal large quantities of tobacco in a false ceiling, under a false floor in the boot, in the base of the bed, beneath a water tank and even behind the panel of a working fuse box.
John Cooper, HMRC Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, said:
“This was a calculated and blatant smuggling attempt, which, if successful, would have robbed the UK of vital funds. Our investigations revealed that Duoba had recently purchased the camper van, adapting it to hide enough tobacco to make over 300,000 cigarettes. We will continue to work closely with the UK Border Agency to root out this kind of illegal activity and disrupt criminal operations wherever possible.
“Anyone with information about tobacco smuggling should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
Evidence uncovered by HMRC investigators led to Duoba being charged and sentenced for a second offence, after officers discovered the tobacco was to be kept at a self-storage unit in Essex rented by a ‘Tomas Basiulis’ – a name linked to a separate smuggling attempt.
On 5 July 2010 at Dover Eastern Docks 84,100 cigarettes were found concealed within foil insulation on a Lithuanian registered lorry. When questioned, the lorry driver produced an envelope marked with the name of his contact ‘Tomas Basiulis’.
During interview for the Portsmouth tobacco importation this name coincidence was put to Raimundas Duoba. He admitted to using the alias ‘Tomas Basiulis’ on occasions. Duoba was subsequently charged with evading £17,000 in revenue for the Dover cigarette importation.
Upon sentencing at Portsmouth Crown Court, His Honour Judge Richard Price, said: “These were both sophisticated operations.” Stating that Duoba “had skilfully and deliberately planned and delivered” both importations.
Addressing Giliene, His Honour Judge Price said: “You provided cover. Making out that you were on holiday, when you knew perfectly well that the vehicle had contraband within.”
Duoba pleaded guilty to the Portsmouth and Dover offences at Portsmouth Crown Court on 30 September 2011 and was remanded in custody. Giedre Giliene pleaded guilty to the Portsmouth offence at Portsmouth Crown Court on 5 October 2011.
The tobacco and cigarettes were forfeited and burned to fuel the national grid.
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