HM Customs have been targeting several tobacco retailers in an attempt to curtail tobacco smuggling, and during an operation conducted on the 27th June, Officers of the Flexible Anti Smuggling Team kept surveillance of two persons in the area of Casemates square.

Officers observed how they entered a tobacco retailer, later to exit the premises carrying two large holdalls.

The two persons, a Spanish 31 year old male and a 21 year old female were searched and found to be carrying 50 cartons of cigarettes in the holdalls. Both persons were arrested.

A third man, also a Spanish national in his 30s was identified as the shop manager of the local retailer, and has been arrested for breaches of conditions of their tobacco retail licence.

The suspects have been released on police bail to the 20th September.