TRUCKERS' CHANCE TO TALK TO CUSTOMS

15 Sep 2004 03:15 PM

Customs officers will be at this weekend's Truckfest show at Haydock Park to advise people what they can and can't bring back from trips abroad and what types of fuel could land you a fine if used in your vehicle. Visitors to Customs' mobile exhibition unit will see examples of drug concealments, contraband, endangered animals, counterfeit goods and vehicle engine parts damaged by illegal fuel.

Customs' Assistant Chief Investigation Officer, Ray Tyler said: "This weekend is an ideal opportunity for visitors to talk to Customs officers about the dangers of smuggling illegal drugs, weapons, alcohol and tobacco. Officers will also be on hand to discuss the risks of using illegal fuel - such as laundered or agricultural red diesel - in your vehicle.

"If you know of any suspicious activities that may be linked to drug, tobacco, or alcohol smuggling or about VAT or fuel fraud, please call Customs' 24-hour confidential freephone on 0800 59 5000, write to Freepost SEA9391, PO Box 100, DA12 2BR or e-mail
customs.confidential@hmce.gsi.gov.uk."

Penalties can be severe for smuggling or illegal fuel use; drivers run the risk of custodial sentences, the loss of their vehicle, financial penalties and in some circumstances the seizure of whole company fleets. The mobile unit used for the display was seized from a driver at Dover and shows secret compartments used for smuggling 650 Kilos of cannabis worth over 2 million pounds; four men are serving a total of 41 years in jail as a result. Only last week, Eric Hargreaves, a north-west truck driver was jailed for one year and had his heavy goods vehicle seized after Customs at Dover detected secret compartments in the roof and floor of his truck filled with 1.2 million smuggled cigarettes. In August, a Cheshire man was jailed for 14 years for drugs smuggling in a horse box, both the vehicle and two horses were seized.

Note for editors

1. Customs will be on stand C9 at Truckfest North West, Haydock Park racecourse, Lancashire.

2. For further details of Eric Hargreaves of 23 Cedar Crescent, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 7DW please contact Nigel Knott, Customs' Press Officer SE on 01304 664493 (during office hours). Photographs available. Cheshire man, Darren Ralphs, (35), of Hill Street, Gee Cross, Hyde, Cheshire was found guilty of the illegal importation of cocaine for further details see press release NW47/04 (photographs and video footage available). The mobile display unit was adapted as an exhibition vehicle after seizure in the 1990s.

3. Red diesel is marked gas oil, a fuel liable to a rebated rate of duty for use mainly in agriculture and the construction industry, and not for use in road vehicles. Kerosene is a heating oil and is free of duty.

4. Fuel laundering attempts to remove the government marker from red diesel, by using strong acids and chemicals. The chemicals and acids tend to remain in the laundered fuel and damage fuel pumps in diesel vehicles.

If using specific facts contained in this release please check the information is still current. Issued by HM Customs and Excise Marketing and Communications Division

Anyone with information about illegally imported drugs, tobacco or alcohol or about VAT or fuel fraud can speak to a Customs officer in complete confidence at Customs Confidential 24 hours a day on 0800 59 5000. Or fax 0800 528 0506, write to Freepost SEA9391, PO Box 100, DA12 2BR, or e-mail customs.confidential@hmce.gsi.gov.uk www.hmce.gov.uk