Three arrested over £80m alcohol fraud

Three people have been arrested in relation to a £80 million alcohol fraud after a series of dawn raids by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers.

Credit: HMRC

More than 70 HMRC officers swooped on properties in London, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire on 17 October as part of a series of co-ordinated dawn raids.

Two men, aged 37 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in an alcohol diversion fraud suspected to be worth up to £80 million a year in lost duty.

A woman, aged 30, was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering offences.

All three are believed to have laundered money or assisted in the fraud for their personal gain.

Cash totalling £150,000, computers and personal and business records, as well as a Taser gun, were also seized.

Credit: HMRC

David Margree, assistant director of criminal investigation at HMRC, said: “Today’s action shows HMRC’s determination in taking robust action against those involved in or connected to alcohol fraud. HMRC will take all necessary steps to ensure that the tainted profits amassed by these professional crime gangs will be pursued and recovered.

“We suspect those arrested today have concealed the money for their personal benefit at the expense of the UK’s economy and honest taxpayers.”

All defendants have been bailed until April 2015.