article_snippet: More than 1.2 tonnes of tobacco, worth an estimated £283,000 in duty and taxes, was seized during the operation.
article_snippet: Stash: the suspected illicit tobacco factory Derby city held more than 1.2 tonnes of tobacco .
article_snippet: Afterwards, Stuart Taylor, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: 'Tobacco fraud costs the UK £2 billion a year in lost tax and the suspected illicit tobacco factory had the potential to rob taxpayers of hundreds of thousands of pounds a day in evaded excise duty. '
article_snippet: In that time warehouses linked to other tobacco seizures were all part of a suspected network of organised criminals.
article_snippet: Other swoops were made in Essex, Preston and Blackburn - netting 11 tonnes of raw tobacco in total last year.
article_snippet: A warehouse in Bury was raided by HM Revenue and Customs officers at the same time as two domestic houses and a garage in the area, which were all searched as part of Operation Eel last April.
article_snippet: The tobacco was found wrapped in boxes and bags and is believed to have been illegally brought into the UK without excise duty being paid.
article_snippet: HMRC said HMRC was 'in the process' of being mixed with chemicals at the unit by a gang and converted into hand-rolling tobacco.
article_snippet: Dry, harvested tobacco leaves are believed to have been imported from tobacco growing country then processed using and white vinegar, and flavoured with vanilla, according to HMRC. '
article_snippet: Sandra Smith, assistant director of criminal investigation's at HMRC, said: 'Illicit tobacco factories hidden in our communities are packaging low quality tobacco and I'd urge people to be wary. '