A GANG faces more than ten years behind bars for setting up an illegal tobacco factory in Southampton.

Tian Yang, Shu Lan Lin, Hua Wang and Yun Wang were sentenced this afternoon for their part in the operation, which was uncovered by HMRC investigators in April this year.

Investigators, working with officers from Sussex Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, raided the factory in John Street, Southampton, and seized three tonnes of tobacco.

Yang arrived as HMRC officers searched the rented three-storey town house and was arrested nearby as he attempted to get away.

HMRC officers discovered fake duty stamps and 380 litres of vinegar and lime cordial used to moisten the tobacco. They also discovered a cement mixer which had been used to mix the product.

CCTV set up on the premises, used to monitor the workers, implicated the gang in the crime and recoded tobacco being scraped off the floor and from the soles of their shoes, before being packaged for sale.

Around three tonnes of hand-rolling tobacco as seized from the property, enough to fill standard 50g tobacco pouches worth an estimated £612,000 in unpaid excise duty and VAT.

Yang, along with Lin, believed to be his partner, smuggled the raw tobacco into the UK and arranged the distribution of the counterfeit tobacco.

Lin was later arrested at her home in Latimer Street, Southampton, where officers found tobacco processing equipment and £1,715 in cash.

Hua Wang and Yun Wang, who worked at the John Street house processing the tobacco were arrested at the premises where they were also living.

At the time of their arrest Yang and Lin were on the run after skipping bail in connection with previous smuggling offences in 2011, when 1.1 tonnes of tobacco was smuggled into the UK hidden inside insulation boards.

Yang and Lin were found guilty of evading tobacco duty following a trial.

Before Judge Peter Henry could pass sentence, he had to briefly adjourn the case in order for Lin to compose herself after she became inconsolable in the dock.

Tian Yang, 39, of Oxford Mews, Latimer Street, Southampton, was sentenced to four years and six months for four counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

Shu Lan Lin, 41, of Oxford Mews, Latimer Street, Southampton, was sentenced to three years and nine months for two counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

Hua Wang and Yun Wang both pleaded guilty to one count of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

Hua Wang, 39, of John Street, Southampton, was sentenced to 18 months for one count of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

Yun Wang, 31, of John Street, Southampton, was sentenced to 18 months for one count of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

John Cooper, assistant director of Criminal Investigation at HMRC, said: "These criminals were producing counterfeit tobacco in totally unhygienic conditions, for sale to unsuspecting smokers.

"They were selling a cheap product,undercutting legitimate retailers who cannot compete with these unregulated sales.

"Tobacco fraud costs the UK economy around £2billion each year. We urge anyone with information about the illegal importation, production or sale of tobacco to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 595000."