|
Liverpool smuggling pair
sentenced
2 friends from Liverpool, who attempted
to evade over £50,000 in Tax by smuggling cigarettes and tobacco through
Manchester airport, have been sentenced.
Ahmed Barakat, 34, of Bootle and Elaine Wright, 54, of Litherland, were
investigated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), after being caught at the airport
by Border Force officers earlier this year.
Sandra Smith, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said:-
"HMRC will not hesitate to investigate those who try to profit from defrauding
honest Taxpayers and businesses. If you have information about illegal smuggling
activity, the transport, storage or sale of illicit tobacco, cigarettes or
alcohol you should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."
In January 2015, the pair arrived on the same flight from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
and appeared to be travelling separately with other parties. Barakat was stopped
in the Green Channel and had 103,000 cigarettes and 13.5 kilos hand rolling
tobacco (HRT) in his luggage. Wright was then caught with 21,400 cigarettes and
five kilos HRT in her luggage –despite the personal allowance for cigarettes
from Egypt being 200.
During his interview with HMRC investigators, Barakat admitted he was trying to
evade excise duty and Tax so he could sell the cigarettes for profit in the UK.
Wright also admitted to investigators that she had agreed to smuggle the
cigarettes and tobacco, for family friend, Barakat because she owed him money.
The pair first appeared before Liverpool Magistrates on separate dates and later
pleaded guilty to the evasion of excise duty and VAT totalling £50,826. Wright
was given a suspended jail sentence on 30 June 2015 at the same court. Barakat
was referred to Liverpool Crown Court where he was also given a suspended jail
sentence on 28 July 2015. HMRC will now start proceedings to recover the stolen
Tax. |
