Courts / Louth / Report
Alleged cigarette smuggler to challenge extradition on Brexit point
Summary
Stephen Watters, 50, of Kilcurry, Dundalk, Co Louth, is wanted in the UK for alleged conspiracy to fraudulently evade excise duty and for facilitating the acquisition, use or control of criminal property as part of an organised crime gang. He was arrested under a European Arrest Warrant issued earlier this year and is currently in High Court extradition proceedings. Watters' lawyers have requested more time to file points of objection, citing a legal point related to Brexit. Justice Aileen Donnelly has remanded him on continuing bail until 8 October, allowing him to apply for early resolution of the Brexit matter before that date. The warrant alleges the gang operated between 1 January 2014 and 4 September 2015, involved in illegal importation and distribution of non‑UK duty‑paid tobacco, with seizures of over 17 million cigarettes and 1.5 tonnes of hand‑rolling tobacco, equating to roughly £3 million in evaded duty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Alleged cigarette smuggler to challenge extradition on Brexit point. Charges or matters: conspiracy to fraudulently evade excise duty; entering into an arrangement to facilitate the acquisition, use or control of criminal property. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 8 Adjournment
- January 1, 2014 Incident
- September 4, 2015 Incident
- September 8, 2014 Other
- January 20, 2015 Other
- 2018-06-18 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: conspiracy to fraudulently evade excise duty; entering into an arrangement to facilitate the acquisition, use or control of criminal property (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: remanded on continuing bail until October 8
Places mentioned
Topics
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