A HOLMFIRTH man is among five criminals who have been ordered to pay back a total of nearly £1m from an international cigarette smuggling operation.
John Hesford was jailed for one year and 11 months for his part in the ring in November 2005.
At Sheffield Crown Court last week, the 48-year-old security consultant, of Bayfield Close, Hade Edge, was ordered to pay back £129,186 within six months or serve a further 2.5 years in prison, according to a press statement from HM Revenue and Customs, which applied for the Confiscation Order.
The case involved Hesford, Barnsley men Glyn Wildblood, Steven Holling and Dennis Lycett and Norfolk man David John Burrows.
It resulted in the seizure of more than 60m cigarettes, £476,000 in cash and the prosecution of 32 defendants.
The case was said to have involved criminals both in the UK and abroad.
Nick Burriss, assistant chief investigation officer for HM Revenue and Customs, commenting on the case, said: "Our teams of investigators have achieved a fantastic result that sends a clear message to those who engage in this sort of crime - you will lose not only your freedom, but we will reclaim the proceeds of your criminal activity.
"The operation was extremely complex and also included the closure of a counterfeit cigarette factory before it became operational.
"If undetected this would have resulted in a loss to the Treasury of £3m every week.
"We are extremely pleased that we have successfully used the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to return the profits of crime to the public purse."
Anyone with information relating to smuggled goods should ring HMRC's confidential hotline number on 0800 59 5000 or email: customs.confidential @hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
