A smuggler carried contraband on a truckload of car parts.

Krzysztof Trznadel placed small boxes of tobacco on top of the large containers of German parts.

He was arrested by Border Force officers at Dover Eastern Docks on Wednesday, September 6.

He had come to Britain with the legitimate cargo of parts but with non-duty paid Turner brand hand-rolling tobacco.

A total £62,931 in excise duty was evaded on the tobacco, and the case was referred to HMRC for criminal investigation.

Lorry driver Trznadel, 42, of Poland, pleaded guilty to evading excise duty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Monday.

His Honour Judge Joy said that the defendant was “motivated by financial gain”, but his “previous good character” had been taken into account.

Trznadel was sentenced on the same day as Aurelijus Repecka who smuggled tobacco with a legitimate cargo of diaries.

Again HMRC investigated.

Tim Clarke, fraud investigation assistant director, said after Trznadel's sentencing: “He threw boxes of tobacco on top of the real cargo hoping it wouldn’t be detected.

"He took a gamble, which didn’t pay off and he’s now in prison."

HMRC says that illicit tobacco costs the UK around £2.4 billion a year in lost revenue.

Anyone with information about tobacco smuggling should call the HMRC fraud hotline on 0800 788 887.

and Mr Clarke said after the court hearing: “Trznadel threw boxes of tobacco on top of the real cargo hoping it wouldn’t be detected. He took a gamble, which didn’t pay off and he’s now in prison.”