Staggering number of cigarettes seized from passengers flying into Heathrow from abroad revealed
MORE than 125million cigarettes were seized last year from passengers flying into Heathrow from abroad.
All the hauls — enough to fill around 6.2million packets of 20 — were destroyed.
Border Force officials also stopped 19.5 tons of cannabis and nearly 1.3 tons of cocaine and heroin being smuggled in through the UK’s busiest airport.
Meanwhile entry was refused to 3,733 out of the 7,587 passengers investigated on landing, many for not having the correct visa.
Another 2,177 people were referred to authorities under modern slavery rules amid fears they were being abused or trafficked.
Other passengers were found to be lying about their status, with some British universities revoking foreign students’ visas.
A source said: “The high numbers show how vigilant the Border Force has to be.
“Many of the people banned from entering the UK would just disappear if they were allowed in the country.”
The figures were revealed in a congratulatory memo sent to workers by a regional director.
It read: “You should all be very proud of what we have achieved.”
She added: “2025 will undoubtedly be just as challenging, with the unexpected always likely to be just around the corner.”
Border Force processed nearly 29million passengers arriving on almost 20,000 flights last year.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Border Force staff do a vital job for our national security.”