WITH reference to the recent news item in which a couple were jailed for cigarettes smuggling.

The article mentioned that family assets had been seized.

This is fair enough, but the article went on to say that the couple's crime would cost the taxpayer a great deal.

My point is this, if the family assets have been seized why on earth should it cost the taxpayer anything at all?

JOHN HAWKINS-SHELFORD, Waters Edge, Blackburn.