Almost nine million suspected counterfeit cigarettes were seized in Belfast today.

The haul, which originated in China, would have cost the taxpayer an estimated £2m (€2.2m) in lost excise duty if it had not been intercepted, according to customs officials.

The cigarettes, which carried the Regal King Size brand, were discovered in a 40ft container in the city’s docks this morning by officers from the UK Border Agency.

No arrests have yet been made.

John Whiting, assistant director of criminal investigation at HM Revenue and Customs, 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,” he said.

“Purchasing cheap cigarettes without the duty paid on them means trading with criminals and undermining honest businesses.

“Working with our partners at UKBA, HMRC is committed to stamping out the problem of cigarette and tobacco smuggling. This criminal activity undermines public health by creating a cheap and unregulated supply.

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