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The420Guy
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Officers from Customs & Excise and Staffordshire Police taking part in
Britain's biggest ever anti-VAT fraud swoop were surprised to stumble
on two tonnes of cannabis at a business park in Staffordshire. The
discovery was made in one of 70 raids made at premises across the
country as well as at several properties in Spain.
Thirty-three men and six women were arrested during the operation, in
which searches were carried out by 350 officers relating to a UKP120m
VAT fraud. Last week it was revealed that VAT frauds accounted for
UKP20bn worth of bogus trade. Also seized in 13 raids in Staffordshire
were sus-pected stolen cars worth an estimated UKP500,000, cash and
five shotguns with ammunition.
Officers discovered the UKP12m worth of cannabis resin hidden in a lorry
at Blythe Business Park in Staffordshire. Three men were arrested. A
32-year-old man has appeared at Newcastle magistrates court charged
with supplying drugs.
The discoveries reveal how organised crime has moved into VAT fraud as
a less risky addition to traditional crimes. Just how lucrative was
illustrated last week when record-breaking confiscation orders were
issued for UKP7.1m against nine men convicted in London for taking part
in an UKP11m VAT computer-chip fraud.
The Customs operation started after the National Crime Squad
discovered that Raymond May and Vincent Stapleton were engaged in VAT
fraud, using UK and French companies to facilitate the fraud.
May has a minimal criminal record. Stapleton, however, has convictions
for robbery, handling stolen goods and assault. Also convicted for the
fraud was Stapleton's son, Vincent Junior, for whom Stapleton's
daughter, the former EastEnders actress Nicola Stapleton, provided
UKP125,000 bail during the trial.
Stapleton never paid any taxes, commenting that it was difficult when
your earnings were the proceeds of crime.
Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jul 2003
Source: Independent (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact: letters@independent.co.uk
Website: The Independent
Britain's biggest ever anti-VAT fraud swoop were surprised to stumble
on two tonnes of cannabis at a business park in Staffordshire. The
discovery was made in one of 70 raids made at premises across the
country as well as at several properties in Spain.
Thirty-three men and six women were arrested during the operation, in
which searches were carried out by 350 officers relating to a UKP120m
VAT fraud. Last week it was revealed that VAT frauds accounted for
UKP20bn worth of bogus trade. Also seized in 13 raids in Staffordshire
were sus-pected stolen cars worth an estimated UKP500,000, cash and
five shotguns with ammunition.
Officers discovered the UKP12m worth of cannabis resin hidden in a lorry
at Blythe Business Park in Staffordshire. Three men were arrested. A
32-year-old man has appeared at Newcastle magistrates court charged
with supplying drugs.
The discoveries reveal how organised crime has moved into VAT fraud as
a less risky addition to traditional crimes. Just how lucrative was
illustrated last week when record-breaking confiscation orders were
issued for UKP7.1m against nine men convicted in London for taking part
in an UKP11m VAT computer-chip fraud.
The Customs operation started after the National Crime Squad
discovered that Raymond May and Vincent Stapleton were engaged in VAT
fraud, using UK and French companies to facilitate the fraud.
May has a minimal criminal record. Stapleton, however, has convictions
for robbery, handling stolen goods and assault. Also convicted for the
fraud was Stapleton's son, Vincent Junior, for whom Stapleton's
daughter, the former EastEnders actress Nicola Stapleton, provided
UKP125,000 bail during the trial.
Stapleton never paid any taxes, commenting that it was difficult when
your earnings were the proceeds of crime.
Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jul 2003
Source: Independent (UK)
Copyright: 2003 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact: letters@independent.co.uk
Website: The Independent
