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18/12/2007
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.
Acting Chairman of HMRC David Hartnett told MPs he would be "very worried" if the drugs had been stolen.
However, Warwickshire Police have confirmed they were investigating the disappearance after Mr Hartnett admitted he did not know what had happened to the cocaine.
However, he said that he had not yet ruled out the possibility that it could have been sent to be destroyed, perhaps to a court for evidence or maybe even to a laboratory.
But, significantly, he really does not know where the drugs are at present.
Mr Hartnett, who was initially answering questions about the well-publicised loss by HMRC of millions of child benefit claimants' details, insisted that the loss of the drugs was a "complete one-off" and not evidence of any systemic failure.
He said: "I am very concerned about what has happened in Coventry.
"All I know is that an amount of cocaine - 1.5kg - is missing from the place it should be in a secure lock-up.
"What I don't know at the minute is whether this cocaine has been sent for destruction, or to a court or to a forensic science laboratory and the paperwork has not been done properly or it has been stolen.
"I am very worried if it is the latter."
HMRC has said that security has been stepped up and investigations are continuing into the disappearance.
(BMcC)
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.
Acting Chairman of HMRC David Hartnett told MPs he would be "very worried" if the drugs had been stolen.
However, Warwickshire Police have confirmed they were investigating the disappearance after Mr Hartnett admitted he did not know what had happened to the cocaine.
However, he said that he had not yet ruled out the possibility that it could have been sent to be destroyed, perhaps to a court for evidence or maybe even to a laboratory.
But, significantly, he really does not know where the drugs are at present.
Mr Hartnett, who was initially answering questions about the well-publicised loss by HMRC of millions of child benefit claimants' details, insisted that the loss of the drugs was a "complete one-off" and not evidence of any systemic failure.
He said: "I am very concerned about what has happened in Coventry.
"All I know is that an amount of cocaine - 1.5kg - is missing from the place it should be in a secure lock-up.
"What I don't know at the minute is whether this cocaine has been sent for destruction, or to a court or to a forensic science laboratory and the paperwork has not been done properly or it has been stolen.
"I am very worried if it is the latter."
HMRC has said that security has been stepped up and investigations are continuing into the disappearance.
(BMcC)
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