§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo 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.
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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.