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Arrests linked to smuggled
cigs and fake vodka factory
5 men have been arrested in Liverpool
during raids linked to a suspected ₤100,000 Tax fraud involving smuggled
cigarettes, an illegal vodka factory and Tax Credits fraud.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) visited several address across Liverpool and
Sefton, on Tuesday, 3 October 2017, as part of an ongoing investigation into
previous seizures of illicit cigarettes and fake vodka in the region, as well as
associated money laundering.
Officers also discovered and dismantled a fake vodka bottling plant in July
2017, in Aintree.
During the operation HMRC Officers:-
► Searched premises in Formby, Knotty Ash, Mossley
Hill, Walton, and Woolton.
► Aarrested 5 men aged 39, 44, 47, 48 and 55.
► Discovered a suspected amphetamine laboratory, at 1
address.
Angela McCalmon, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:-
"We will continue to act to disrupt suspected criminal activity. This
investigation is still at an early stage but shows the spectrum of suspected
crimes that can be uncovered in 1 enquiry. HMRC will work closely with our
partners to ensure there is no further risk to public health or the public purse
from these suspected activities. Dealing in illicit tobacco and alcohol harms
honest businesses and steals money destined for public services. It is important
that anyone in the area with information about the illegal trade in tobacco or
alcohol reports it to our Hotline on:- 0800 788 887."
In March 2017, HMRC seized 199,780 suspected counterfeit Mayfair King
cigarettes, in the Aintree area, which was worth ₤56,138.68 in evaded Excise
Duty and VAT. In July 2017, a fake vodka bottling plant in Aintree was
dismantled and bottles labelled as No. 01 Imperial Vodka Blue were seized. It
was worth an estimated ₤45,000 in unpaid Excise Duty. Subsequent chemical tests
found the alcohol, although not toxic, contained compounds that should not be
present in vodka. Prior to the arrests, HMRC Officers also uncovered a
suspected substantial Tax Credit fraud. HMRC also called in Merseyside
Police and Merseyside Fire Brigade to deal with the chemicals, located at the
suspected drugs factory.
Anyone with information regarding fraud can
contact the HMRC Fraud hotline, on:- 0800 788 887 or report it
online.
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