A MAN accused of attempting to evade UK duty laws with nine million cigarettes has appeared before a court.

Maciej Wegrzynowski, 58, has been charged with attempting to fraudulently evade provision of the Customs and Excise Acts 1979.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told he was allegedly caught with nine million non-UK duty paid cigarettes in Harwich on June 30.

Wegrzynowski appeared via video link from HMP Thameside but the case was adjourned until August 23 so a Polish interpreter can attend.

Wegrzynowski, from the city of Bydgoszcz in Poland, has not yet entered a plea to the offence.