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Tobacco tax
evaders caught out
2 men, caught moving 245
kilos of smuggled tobacco between 2 vans, have been jailed after an
investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Graham Kay, 38, from Bolton and Soran Salih, 24, from Bury were
parked at the side of a road when HMRC Officers intervened.
The officers seized the tobacco
and both men were arrested for tax evasion. More illegal tobacco and
cash were seized at their homes and business premises during the
investigation. Both men pleaded guilty on 24 June 2013 to attempting
to evade over £94,000 in excise duty and VAT.
Mike O'Grady, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation for HMRC,
said:- "We are determined to tackle the ongoing problem of
illicit tobacco sales across Greater Manchester. My message is clear
to anyone engaged in this illegal activity - HMRC will pursue those
who ignore the rules on the sale, storage and supply of illicit
tobacco. The evasion of excise duty is a criminal offence. If
you are caught you will not only have your goods seized but you may
also face prosecution. Anyone with information about the illegal
trade in smuggled cigarettes and tobacco in the Manchester area
should contact the Customs hotline on:- 0800 59 5000."
The cigarettes were recycled as fuel for the National Grid, the cash
seized has been forfeited to the Crown and Salih's van was
confiscated.
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BRAZILICA
ORGANISERS LOOK AHEAD TO 2014 AFTER BEST FESTIVAL YET
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THIS year's Brazilica Festival which came to a
climax on Saturday, 20 July
2013, has been hailed a scorching success
by organisers and festival goers alike! Crowds thronged the City
centre streets for a spectacular Carnival Parade on Saturday evening
which this year was witnessed by over 20% more people than in 2012
and the Juice FM Main Stage at Williamson Square was packed
throughout the day and evening as Liverpudlians and visitors –
including many from Brazil - enjoyed Brazilian bands, beats, and
tasty treats in the sunshine!
This year's festival, which for the first time ever featured a 9-day
programme of events across the City leading up to the main Carnival
Day, provided a great boost to the City's economy, with Williamson
Square seeing a 36% increase in traffic compared to the previous
Saturday and many restaurants, shops and bars getting involved and
featuring special Brazilica cocktails, barbecues, menus and offers.
Organisers Orb Events and Liverpool Carnival Company are now looking
ahead to 2014's Brazilica, for which plans have already begun. With
Brazil hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016, next
year's festival programme will in addition to arts and culture focus
on sports as a key aspect.
Debbie Boyd of Orb Events said:- "I was so pleased and proud
of everyone that came to and participated in Brazilica 2013. It was
definitely the best yet! As well as our wonderful local performers,
we attracted so many people who travelled to the festival from all
over the world, making Brazilica a truly world class event. How do
we top 2013? With the World Cup being held in Brazil next year we
are starting to plan early, so watch this space. I am sure we can
pull some fantastic surprises out of the hat (or head dress!) and
make the whole City smile again in 2014."
In addition to the main Carnival Day on July 20, Brazilica 2013 saw
an evening of Carnival Queens and Kings on Friday 19 July as
traditional Carnival King character Rey Mo Mo (Juice FM's Baz Todd)
was presented with the key to the Carnival by Liverpool Lord Mayor
Cllr Gary Millar at the City's Town Hall. Down the road at the Newz
Bar, London Samba School's Yazzmin Newell was crowned Brazilica's
2013 Carnival Queen, winning a £400 voucher for bespoke costume
maker Posto 9. Runner up was Liverpool's own Nicola Thomas who won
£200 worth of prizes from Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar who also made
up the contestants prior to the event. Other pre-Carnival Day events
included a Frevo Drop umbrella exhibition of umbrella art at the
Metquarter which had previously exhibited at London's V&A museum as
part of the Braziliality festival. Gigs, cinema, club nights and
free dance, drumming and craft workshops also formed part of this
9-day Brazilian extravaganza.
Roll on 2014!
More information can be found at:-
brazilicafestival.com. Keep up-to-date with Liverpool
Carnival Company's events on
Facebook.
If you did not see our coverage of this fantastic
event in the previous weeks edition, please do click on
here and take
a look. We also have a video of the event for you to watch on
that report as well!!!
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