FLIGHTS carrying fallen soldiers back to RAF Lyneham may have been used as part of a smuggling ring.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that an investigation is under way into an allegation of smuggling relating to repatriation flights to Lyneham.

It is claimed that cigarettes were sneaked into the country hidden in cardboard boxes sitting side by side with the coffins of dead soldiers.

A gang of up to eight people are thought to have been targeting the C-17 planes flying into Lyneham over a number of years.

Wootton Bassett pensioner John Beauchamp, 79, who was in the RAF from 1949 to 1985 and served all over the world, said he was surprised and shocked at the news.

The great granddad, a former flight sergeant and warrant officer, said: “I’m upset because it’s bringing the name of the RAF into disrepute and tarnishing it.

“It upsets people like myself. I think this is very unsavoury behaviour. I wonder how the devil they would try it because security is so tight.”

Wootton Bassett mayoress and former Lyneham councillor, Allison Bucknall, said: “My reaction is just pure shock. It’s not often that I am lost for words but this has really stumped me. It’s terrible to think of people being opportunistic about something like this.

“I would imagine that the people of Lyneham will have the same reaction as me – absolute disbelief.

“I hope that the people responsible will be found and punished.”

North Wilts MP, James Gray, said it was beyond belief that servicemen would be involved with such a scandal.

“If anyone has used these flights for smuggling of any kind then it is absolutely disgraceful and they should be prosecuted”, he said. “The whole world would be disgusted by this.

“I can’t believe any servicemen would be involved in something like this. They fly in and out of the country all the time so if they were minded to smuggle cigarettes they could use other flights. That’s why I find it so hard to believe, but if it’s true then I think all decent people will be absolutely horrified.”

It is believed that the smuggling ring was uncovered after a stash of cigarettes was found on one of the repatriation flights. Military police immediately called in HM Revenue and Customs to investigate.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “The RAF takes this matter very seriously and this allegation of smuggling is already subject to an investigation by the RAF and HM Revenue and Customs. There is no evidence of smuggling using the coffins or personal belongings of deceased personnel.”