Tobacco smuggling gang member jailed

Andrew Bilton, formerly of Latchmere Road, Leeds, was caught handling more than £225,000 in criminal cash linked to the sale of illegal tobacco in August 2014, after an investigation by HMRC.

Bilton went on the run three years ago ahead of standing trial for his crimes alongside other gang members. The 56-year-old was part of a criminal gang that smuggled tobacco worth more than £2m in unpaid duty into the UK.

He was arrested by HMRC officers when he arrived back into the UK on a flight from Amsterdam on 1 May 2021.

Eden Noblett, assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Bilton thought he could escape punishment for his crimes, but now he has to face the consequences.

“People involved in money laundering help to fund the illegal activities of organised crime gangs, and other illegal activity that causes real harm to our communities, such as drugs, guns, and human trafficking.

Bilton admitted two counts of money laundering, and absconding and was sentenced to two years and five months in prison.