Two men have been sentenced for their part in a plot to smuggle almost 600,000 cigarettes, worth an estimated £160,000 into the UK.

Student Alan Salih, 33, of Bounces Road, Edmonton, and delivery driver Karzan Ahmedi, of Brighton, were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court.

The pair met in Edmonton, where they drove to a residential street and parked their vehicles back-to-back with the rear doors open.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs officers intercepted the pair and found almost 600,000 cigarettes in the vans.

Both Salih and Ahmedi were arrested on suspicion of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

David Margree, assistant director of criminal investigation at HMRC, said: “Tobacco smuggling is a serious offence, depriving the taxpayer and the economy of around £2 billion a year. Salih and Ahmedi thought their criminal actions would go undetected – they were wrong and are facing the consequences.

“Anyone with information regarding tobacco and alcohol fraud is encouraged to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

A search of Salih’s white transit van revealed 96,000 Mayfair cigarettes in unmarked brown boxes, while Ahmedi’s white rental van contained 502,000 Mayfair cigarettes, also in unmarked brown boxes. Both consignments of cigarettes were seized.

The pair were charged the following day.

Ahmedi pleaded guilty to the charges prior to trial. Salih pleaded not guilty and was found guilty after a two-day trial on September 24, 2014.

Salih, an Iraqi national was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.

Ahmedi was sentenced to eight months with £100 costs.