Over nine million suspected counterfeit cigarettes worth almost £2m in lost tax revenue have been seized by customs officers at Belfast Docks this week.

The UK Border Agency and HM Revenue and Customs uncovered the illegal haul in several freight containers which were bound for the black market.

The first batch was discovered by officers carrying out searches on Tuesday. Around 3.5 million John Player Special cigarettes were found concealed in two large containers under a cover load of granite.

Hours later, officers from the UK Border Agency searched a 40 foot trailer and found nearly six million mixed brand cigarettes concealed under a cover load of peppers.

Both consignments of cigarettes are suspected of being counterfeit.

Customs officials have arrested and are currently questioning a man from Co Armagh in connection with the second seizure which was discovered on Wednesday morning. Maggie Eyden, assistant director of the UK Border Agency in Northern Ireland, said both agencies were committed to “stamping” out cigarette and tobacco smuggling.

“This criminal activity undermines public health by creating a cheap and unregulated supply,” she said.

“These criminals don't care who they sell their illicit goods to and are motivated purely by illegal profit to fund further crime.”

HMRC assistant director in criminal investigation, John Whiting, said tobacco smuggling was not a “victimless crime”.

“The huge profits reaped from the sales of illegal cigarettes are ploughed straight back into the criminal underworld, feeding activities like drug dealing and fraud. Purchasing cheap cigarettes without the duty paid on them means trading with criminals, and undermining honest businesses,” he said.

The HMRC estimates around £3bn of UK taxpayers’ money is diverted from public services into the pockets of tobacco fraudsters every year.