27/05/2011

Five Arrested In £20m Illegal Tobacco Fraud

Officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigating a suspected excise fraud in excess of £20m have arrested five people during early morning raids across South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

Around 60 investigators from HMRC, assisted by officers from South Yorkshire Police and Nottinghamshire Police carried out searches on commercial and residential properties in Doncaster, Retford and Newark. The long running operation codenamed Hornbeam is investigating the evasion of excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco, and money laundering.

HMRC’s Assistant Director for criminal investigation Peter Hollier commented: “Today’s raids are the culmination of months of work by HMRC officers involved in Operation Hornbeam. At present I am unable to give further details as our investigations are continuing, however today’s activities send a clear message to those tempted to become mixed up in crimes of this nature – we take excise fraud and the trade in smuggled tobacco goods extremely seriously and will pursue anyone believed to be actively involved in this type of crime.”

Investigations into this matter are currently ongoing.

(BMcN/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

06 February 2007
Ten arrested in VAT fraud operation
Ten people have been arrested in a series of UK-wide raids conducted by customs officers investigating a suspected £250 million VAT missing trader fraud. The operation, codenamed Operation Euripus, follows a five-year investigation, which included one of the biggest swoops ever undertaken by HM Revenues & Customs (HMRC).
19 December 2013
Police Find Body In Jayden Parkinson Search
A body has been found in a disturbed grave by detectives investigating the disappearance of teenager Jayden Parkinson. Following a tip police had begun investigating a grave site at the cemetery of All Saints Church in Didcot. Thames Valley Police have said that a body has been found "in a recently disturbed grave".
24 July 2013
61-Year-Old Arrested On Suspicion Of Child Sex Abuse
A 61-year-old man is the fourth to be arrested by detectives investigating allegations of child abuse at north Wales care homes. Operation Pallial was ordered by David Cameron last year following a series of claims of child sexual abuse at a number of institutions.
08 September 2015
Investigation Launched Over Shoreham Air Crash Message
Sussex Police has confirmed it is investigating two officers for gross misconduct regarding a private message sent via social media after the Shoreham Airshow crash last month. It is understood the investigation relates to two Brighton and Hove-based officers and a private message that was allegedly sent to a third person, who was a colleague.
30 January 2015
Eleven Arrested Over Laundering Of Fraud Proceeds
Police have arrested 11 men on suspicion of laundering the proceeds of alcohol and VAT fraud. The arrests were made when HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers raided 11 residential properties and eight businesses in London, Berkshire, East Sussex and Buckinghamshire. HMRC said that the alleged fraud involved around £50m in evaded duty and tax.