Bootleg beer imports nearly QUADRUPLE in five years as 5.6million pints confiscated at ports

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SEIZURES of beer smuggled to Britain have nearly quadrupled in five years.

Some 5.6million pints were confiscated at ports compared to 1.5million in 2019, according to government figures.

Many cans and bottles from mainland Europe are hidden in trucks and routed through Ireland.

Customs bosses said checks had been increased at ports such as Heysham and Birkenhead, in the North West, and Cairnryan in Scotland.

Illegal booze is now estimated to cost the UK around £1billion a year in lost duty payments.

The British Beer and Pub Association said: “A third of the price of an average UK pint goes to the taxman.

“No wonder illicit trade is booming.”

GettySeizures of beer smuggled to Britain have nearly quadrupled in five years[/caption]