22/01/2004

Cash seized during UK-wide Customs raids

Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been seized today after Customs launched a series of raids in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland against traders suspected of fraudulent behaviour.

Dozens of officers took part in the operation and assets in excess of £320,000 in cash and property have now been seized as enquiries continued today.

This morning, investigators swooped on premises in Glasgow, Belfast and Crewe as part of a nationwide crackdown on what is know as 'Missing Trader Intra Community Fraud' (MTIC).

MTIC fraudsters create bogus companies, import goods VAT free, collect VAT on onward sales to customers and then disappear without accounting for the tax due, leaving the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds out of pocket.

Customs Head of Investigation Scotland Pete McGee said: "This operation highlights our intention to stop organised criminals who are involved in this type of fraud. It undermines legitimate business in the UK and the government is determined to crack down on those individuals and gangs who would seek to profit from their illegal activities."

(gmcg)

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

27 August 2003
Customs makes headway in north Scotland crackdown
A week-long Customs operation in north east Scotland has resulted in seizures of foodstuffs and fake goods at Aberdeen airport, cigarettes at Peterhead and vehicles running on 'red diesel' at Crimond stock car meeting.
18 December 2007
Customs Lose Seized Cocaine
'Contraband' that went missing from a secure lock-up after being seized by customs officers has now turned out to be cocaine. Police were called in after 1.5kg (3.3lbs) of the drug went missing from a HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) depot near to Coventry airport.
22 September 2004
Four detained after Customs swoops in Scotland
Four people have been detained following a number of swoops by Customs officers in Scotland today. Over 50 customs' officers supported by police searched a number of houses and business premises in Dundee, Glasgow, and Ayrshire in connection with alleged money laundering and VAT fraud.
18 November 2009
Fake Goods Seized In West Yorkshire
Three men have been arrested and counterfeit goods seized in Huddersfield as part of a joint operation between West Yorkshire Police and Revenue & Customs. The men, aged 19, 24, and 30, were detained on suspicion of producing and selling fake and imitation goods, and for immigration offences, after officers attended an address on Bradford Road.
06 January 2005
£93m seized from criminal proceeds in UK
Nationwide UK law enforcement agencies have seized over £93 million from the proceeds of criminal activity in the two years since the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) came into force. Enacted in December 2002, the legislation has allowed law enforcement agencies to make civil seizures of cash suspected of being crime related, anywhere in the UK.