BUILDER SENTENCED OVER DRUGS AND MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES

11 May 2006 01:15 PM

A Glasgow businessman was sentenced to 4 years at Edinburgh High Court today, (Thursday 11 May), on charges of supplying Class A drugs and money laundering, involving over £72,000.

Paul James Thomas Wilson, 46, formerly of, 629 Coatbridge Road, Bargeddie, Glasgow, a self employed builder, was found guilty at Glasgow High Court on 4 April 2006 on two counts of money laundering and one count of supplying class A drugs.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Head of Investigation for Scotland, Gordon Miller said:

"This is the second HMRC money laundering conviction in Scotland in recent weeks under the proceeds of crime act 2002, and is highly significant as it demonstrates the success of this legislation. The act was specifically designed to take the proceeds out of crime, making it harder for money to be laundered and depriving criminals of their illicit wealth. It is a vital element of HMRC's criminal investigation strategy.

"The success of this operation, carried out in association with Strathclyde Police, is down to the dedication and professionalism of our teams of specialist investigators, combined with the high standard of prosecution expertise of the financial crime unit within the Crown Office, Scotland. If anyone has any information relating to this type of crime they should call our 24-hour confidential line on 0800 59 5000."

Notes to editors

1. During the spring of 2003, officers from HM Revenue & Customs carried out a surveillance operation on premises in the Bargeddie area of Glasgow where Paul James Thomas Wilson, also known as John Alistair McVey, rented a house. Surveillance also identified a second house in Bargeddie, a bungalow under renovation, owned by Wilson.

2. On 28 April 2003, Wilson was seen exchanging £32,000 Sterling for Euros.

3. On 14 May 2003 HMRC officers detained Wilson as he attempted to exchange over £40,000. The cash was seized.

4. HMRC investigation officers executed search warrants at 629 Coatbridge Road, Bargeddie, Glasgow. The bungalow owned by Wilson was discovered to be a 'drugs factory'. Strathclyde Police Drugs Squad were informed and following their further investigations, Wilson was charged with supplying cocaine under section 4 (3) (b) of the Misuse of Drugs act and with intent to supply under section 5 (3) of the same act.

5. The proceeds of Crime Act 2002 gave HMRC extended powers to seize money suspected of being either proceeds of crime or for use in any crime. These powers apply to all crime and are in force inland as well as at the borders. HMRC report their cases in Scotland to the Procurator fiscal service and the Crown Office.

6. LE agencies in the UK confiscated over £63 million pounds from criminals in 2003-04, of that £36 million was seized by HMRC.

7. Wilson was found guilty of 3 charges. One of supplying Class A drugs and two counts of money laundering. He received 4 years for the supply of Class A drugs and 2 years on each count of money laundering. The sentences are to run concurrently from 22 March 2006.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs.

Website www.hmrc.gov.uk