Courts / Dublin / Report
Chinese national caught with untaxed cigarettes three times could face jail term
Summary
A 33‑year‑old Chinese national, Chang Jun Zhao, was caught three times by Irish customs officials with untaxed cigarettes and faces a possible five‑year jail term. He pleaded guilty to evading tax duty on cigarettes on 9 May and 10 October 2013 and to evading duty with intent to defraud the State on 12 June 2013. Customs officers tracked cigarette parcels delivered to Zhao's address, discovering 7,620 Chinese‑branded cigarettes on 5 May 2013 and 7,920 cigarettes on 12 June 2013, all without Irish tax stamps. On 22 October 2013 he was caught carrying 300 cigarettes. The total loss to the State was reported as €6,000. Zhao has no prior convictions. The judge noted his guilty plea and good record but also that he did not stop after the first offence, and remanded him in custody for sentencing in two weeks.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Chinese national caught with untaxed cigarettes three times could face jail term. Charges or matters: evading tax duty on cigarettes at Fitzgibbon Street on May 9 and October 10, 2013 and evading duty on cigarettes with intent to defraud the State on June 12, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 9 Other
- October 10, 2013 Other
- June 12, 2013 Other
- May 5, 2013 Other
- June 12 Other
- October 22 Other
- 2015-06-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: evading tax duty on cigarettes at Fitzgibbon Street on May 9 and October 10, 2013 and evading duty on cigarettes with intent to defraud the State on June 12, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan acknowledged Zhao's guilty plea and previous good record, but said the aggravating factors in the case was that "he didn't stop." He remanded Zhao in custody for sentence in two weeks.; Judge Nolan acknowledged Zhao's guilty plea and previous good record, but said the aggravating factors in the case was that "he didn't stop." He remanded Zhao in custody for sentence in two weeks.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Fitzgibbon Lane
- Dublin
- Fitzgibbon Street
Topics
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