A CREWMAN on the QE2 ordered staff to lie about an illegal shipment of cigarettes moments before customs questioned him in Southampton, a court has been told.

Jurors at Southampton Crown Court heard provisions master Stephen Madden became "worried" and made his Filipino crew move more than 800,000 cigarettes to the ship's car lift when it docked in October last year.

It is claimed that during 2006, 42-year-old Madden smuggled three separate shipments - a total of 1.8 million cigarettes - on to the flagship liner.

On the last occasion customs swooped after a tip-off and boarded the ship in Southampton.

Storekeeper Joaquin Bustamente told the court that Madden winked at him as officers searched the vessel for the contraband tobacco.

"I guess he was telling me to deny," he said.

"He Madden said if anybody asked, to deny the cigarettes. I felt uneasy but I'm supposed to follow orders."

The court also heard that the ship's dry store manager, Jeffery Rosaroso, was ordered by Madden to turn the branded storage boxes inside out and cover them with black shrink-wrap.

He said: "I asked him why and he said we were doing it to prevent them being stolen."

Madden claims Mr Rosaroso was the real ringleader behind October's shipment.

Alexander Stein, defending Madden, told the Filipino: "This is a big event on the QE2 and you have had an opportunity to discuss it among the crew.

"You have arranged with your Filipino crew to blame it on Mr Madden."

Jurors have heard that in May 2006, Madden smuggled 405,000 cigarettes and five kilos of rolling tobacco into the UK undetected.

In July there was a further shipment of 620,000 cigarettes while the final load of more than 800,000 was seized in Southampton.

Madden denies three counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of duty.

Proceeding.