SMUGGLERS have been handed jail terms for trying to move nearly 600,000 cigarettes worth hundreds of thousands of pounds around the UK.

Karzan Ahmedi, 28, an Iranian national formerly of Sommerhill Avenue, Hove, was sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay £100 in costs.

Alan Abdullah Salih, 33, an Iraqi national of Bounces Road, London, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

In April 2014, officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) watched student Salih and delivery driver Ahmedi meet in north London and attempt to hand over the contraband worth £160,000.

A search of Salih’s white transit van revealed 96,000 Mayfair cigarettes while Ahmedi’s white rental van contained 502,000 of the same brand both in unmarked brown boxes.

Ahmedi pleaded guilty to the charges prior to trial. Salih pleaded not guilty and was found guilty after a two-day trial on September, 24. They were sentenced  at Wood Green Crown Court today.

David Margree, assistant director of criminal Investigation at the HMRC, said: “Tobacco smuggling is a serious offence, depriving the tax payer and the economy of around £2 billion a year. Salih and Ahmedi thought their criminal actions would go undetected – they were wrong and are facing the consequences.

“Anyone with information regarding tobacco and alcohol fraud are encouraged to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”