Huge booze hit in Customs op
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• More than 50 tractors and trailers have been seized in raids across the UK by Customs officers investigating a huge alcohol diversion scam.
Operation Mousetrap took place over three consecutive weekends beginning on Sunday 19 January 2003 and involved Customs officers visiting premises in North Kent and Berkshire, West Yorkshire and the Midlands.
In total, Customs seized 36 tractor units and 16 trailers— from 30 premises—that it believes have been used to transport alcohol destined for the UK home market without the duty being paid. One trailer has also been detained pending further investigation.
The scam involves picking up alcohol (duty unpaid) from bonded warehouses for apparent export. However, rather than leaving the country, the booze finds its way into UK off-licences where it is sold at full, duty-included prices.
In this investigation, Customs was looking for vehicles directly involved in what they believe to be a huge pan-European excise fraud that has already cost the UK government £30m in lost revenue.
Customs is refusing to name any of the hauliers involved, claiming it is too soon into their investigations.
Graham Hooker, head of detection in the South region, says: "This phase of the operation is to tackle the hauliers who facilitate fraudulent activity Customs determination to target and disrupt this illegal trade sends out a strong message to those who are complicit in the diversion of alcohol into the illicit UK market."
• Emal: milesbrignall@bkieyender.camk