HC Deb 10 February 1994 vol 237 cc383-4W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what quantities and value of contraband(a) tobacco, (b) drugs, (c) alcohol and (d) other was seized by Customs and Excise in the last year for which statistics are available and in each of the five previous years;

(2) what quantity of and value of contraband alcohol was seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the last year for which statistics are available; how it was disposed of, and at what cost; and what are the comparable figures for any previous years for which statistics are available.

Sir John Cope

[holding answer 8 February 1994]: The amounts and street level values of the main drug types seized by Customs and Excise for the past six calendar years are as below.

Drug type Weight (kilogrammes) Total value (£ millions)
1993
Synthetics 1,096 518
Cannabis 53,157
Cocaine 748
Heroin 561

Drug type Weight (kilogrammes) Total value (£ millions)
1992
Synthetics 348 545
Cannabis 44,556
Cocaine 2,250
Heroin 449
1991
Synthetics 473 308
Cannabis 2,285
Cocaine 1,061
Heroin 409
1990
Synthetics 89 244
Cannabis 24,581
Cocaine 561
Heroin 588
1989
Synthetics 23 258
Cannabis 50,715
Cocaine 424
Heroin 331
1988
Synthetics 18 185
Cannabis 44,018
Cocaine 283
Heroin 230

For single market excise-related offences the quantities of goods seized, and the amount of duties involved, for 1991 are follows:

Duty £
1,355,485 cigarettes and cigars 132,059
10,191 kg tobacco 945,684
753,012 litres alcoholic drinks 590,025

Methods of disposal of alcoholic drinks include pouring down the sewer and the use of land-fill sites. Further details of contraband seizures before 1993 and of methods and costs of disposal could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.