A POLICE constable based in Devizes, who singlehandedly captured the largest haul of contraband goods on Wiltshire's roads, has been recognised for his outstanding action.

PC George Rabczak, who works with the Tri Force Unit based in Devizes, received his certificate of excellence at Devizes Corn Exchange on Thursday for the way he enabled customs officers to seize £500,000 worth of loose tobacco during Operation Merlot on the M4 three years ago.

During the operation, which targeted the illegal distribution of non-duty paid alcohol being transported along the M4, the 52-year-old officer stopped a van after seeing that it was overweight. Upon checking the vehicle, PC Rabczak noted a strong smell of tobacco and his quick thinking led to the load being seized.

"It was a god given gift really," he explained. "It was coming to the end of the day and I had a choice of two vehicles. I eliminated the first and pulled the second over instead because it looked overweight and the driver was a bit non-responsive. I checked the back of the van and there was a familiar aroma and when I opened a black bag in the back it was full of loose tobacco.

"I then had to convince this bloke that I wanted to do a routine weigh on the vehicle, which I did, and I led him to the weighbridge where customs and excise were waiting. To see them all around the vehicle was the best feeling."

Following the delivery of the vehicle, boxes and bin liners containing 404kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 1.199 tonnes of raw tobacco, worth an estimated £260,000 in lost excise duty, 62-year-old taxi driver Alan Clater of Hornsby Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work at Swindon Crown Court in June last year.

Introducing the award Superintendent Tim Corner praised the Tri Force officer for gaining the trust of Clater and getting the result without him getting violent or aggressive.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, PC Rabczak said: "I feel incredibly humbled and honoured to receive this when you consider some of the other awards that have been presented. I was just doing my job and I struck it lucky in some respects."