Thousands of pounds of cash and counterfeit goods seized during joint agency crackdown at Twelve Quays

Oct 20 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

A JOINT agency crackdown on Merseyside’s ports and airports resulted in half a dozen arrests and the seizure of thousands of pounds in cash and counterfeit goods.

Twelve Quays ferry and cargo terminal in Birkenhead was targeted during the six day operation coordinated by Merseyside Police, the UK Border Agency (UKBA), British Transport Police, Port of Liverpool Police, Tunnels Police, the Department for Work and Pensions, Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and VOSA.

Among those stopped by UKBA and police officers was a middle aged Polish couple disembarking from a ferry at Twelve Quays.

Their suitcase was searched and they were found to be in possession of 40,000 cigarettes.

A man from Belfast was stopped at Twelve Quays while driving a black hackney cab with an out-of-date taxi licence.

The wide-ranging operation, also took in Liverpool’s Isle of Man ferry terminal, John Lennon Airport, Lime Street station and both Mersey tunnels.

In total, 1,200 litres of illegal fuel was recovered by HMRC during a fuel-dipping operation carried out on 147 trucks and lorries, while £3,000 of fines were issued to motorists for vehicle defects.

An HGV driver caught with illegal fuel paid an on-the-spot penalty of £880 to HMRC officers.

Graham Forbes HMRC special investigations manager said: “Trading in smuggled and counterfeit goods, such as cigarettes and alcohol, or using and selling laundered fuels, isn’t a harmless fiddle.

“The illicit trade has a devastating impact on legitimate traders who have to compete against these cheap and unregulated goods and robs our communities of millions in lost revenue.”