Crackdown on duty dodgers helps Customs raise a record £28m.

LEVIES on excess duty free have helped Customs and Excise net almost £28m. for the island.

The service's annual report for 2008 showed that increased steps to prevent fraud and smuggling had resulted in it raising a record sum – an increase of 53% on 2007.

The number of people bringing in more than their duty free allowance has risen by over 50%.

'This has never been greater and the need to combat fraud and smuggling to protect revenue will put officers under increasing pressure,' said Customs and Immigration chief officer Rob Prow.

Income from wine, beer and cider met the division's expectations but spirits fell for the second consecutive year.

Revenue from tobacco was up by 28% – mitigating figures showing that tobacco consumption on the island had fallen.

Excise duties are currently applied to alcohol, tobacco, petrol and road diesel.

Over the year there were four revenue seizures considered to be in commercial quantities – all of them tobacco.