Anthony Bower and Neil Pickering jailed for part in cigarette smuggling operation

Boxes of Gold Classic cigarettes seized

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Anthony Bower (51) and Neil Pickering (37), both from Rochdale, have been jailed for their involvement in a cigarette smuggling operation.

Bower was jailed for three years and nine months and Pickering was jailed for three years and four months at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday (6 May).

The jail sentences come after the men were arrested following the seizure of smuggled cigarettes worth £3.8m.

The cigarettes were seized by officials after customs officers raided an industrial unit in Castleton. During the raid officers found a consignment of cigarettes containing 16.5m cigarettes – one of Britain’s largest consignments.

It is understood that the haul came from Vietnam and was brought into the country disguised as fruit with oranges and kiwis being used as a cover load.

Bower of Yewdale gardens, Rochdale and Pickering of Fairway, Rochdale were both trusted employees of the man behind the operation. It is understood that he is yet to be brought to justice.

Bower and Pickering were both picked up following surveillance.

If sold on the streets the cigarettes would have seen the men gain a huge financial profit as they failed to pay VAT on the items.

Cigarettes seized as part of the raid were mainly branded Golden Eagle and Gold Classic. Smaller quantities of Arden, Hoop and regal were also seized.

The seized cigarettes have now been recycled as fuel pellets and used to fuel the national electricity grid. It is understood that one ton of shredded tobacco would light a 100 watt light bulb for eighteen months.