A Lanarkshire man was caught smuggling more than 47,000 cigarettes through Prestwick Airport.

James Thomson, 68, from Uddingston, was stopped by Border Force officers on April 22 last year after arriving on a flight from Gran Canaria.

It's thought that around £15,426 of duty would have been evaded if the haul had not been seized.

Glasgow Times: HMRC officers seized the cigarettes haulHMRC officers seized the cigarettes haul

READ MORE: Man seriously injured in hospital after targeted Hamilton attack

Pictures released from HM Revenue and Custom (HMRC) shows the extent of the goods that Thomson attempted to smuggle in his suitcase. 

He pleaded guilty on July 29 at Ayr Sheriff Court to Excise Duty fraud.

And on December 10 was handed a £700 fine for the offence.

Glasgow Times: Just some of the goods seized by HMRCJust some of the goods seized by HMRC

READ MORE: Hundreds take part in candlelit walk for young man who tragically died

A HMRC spokesperson said: “Thomson knew what he was doing was illegal, yet he still tried to pocket taxpayers’ money and undermine legitimate traders.

“Working closely alongside our Border Force colleagues, disrupting criminal trade is at the heart of our strategy to clampdown on the illicit tobacco market.

“We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco to contact our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”