LONDON May 27 (People's Daily Online)—— Three men, who have been jailed for more than 11 years, were caught red-handed unloading more than 3 million illegal cigarettes that had been hidden in air conditioning units. The gang were arrested as the smuggled cigarettes were delivered at industrial units in Brandon, Suffolk. Two men were arrested at the site. A third man was arrested at home.

Paul Barton, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: “This gang were caught taking delivery of millions of smuggled cigarettes which they wrongly thought were well hidden inside air conditioning units. Not only does this type of criminal activity harm the livelihoods of honest shopkeepers but it is estimated to cost the UK economy ￡2 billion a year in much needed revenue that should be funding public services. Don't let criminals profit – report it.”

Shop owner Manta Vasylius from Thetford in Norfolk was jailed for five years. Shop assistant Arnoldas Gefel, also from Thetford, was given three years and four months.Tomas Maziulis from Leicester was jailed for three years and two months.They were sentenced on 18 May 2015.