£2M PAYBACK TIME FOR DRUG SMUGGLER

8 Sep 2005 02:45 PM

Convicted drug smuggler Michael Tyrrell was today ordered to repay nearly £2 million following a confiscation order made by Snaresbrook Crown Court. An HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC financial investigation into Tyrrell's proceeds of drug trafficking led to the identification of substantial assets in the UK and Caribbean.

Tyrrell was part of a five-man gang who attempted to smuggle 400kgs of cocaine by yacht to the Isle of Wight from the southern Caribbean island of Bequia. He was sentenced to 26 years imprisonment in March 2002 for his part in the operation.

Tyrrell's benefit from drug trafficking was assessed at £1.9 million and the order was made in this amount as the Judge ruled he had hidden assets as yet unidentified by the prosecution. His identified assets, funded by crime, included properties in the United Kingdom and Antigua, an Antiguan ferry adapted for smuggling, two high speed rigid inflatable boats and several offshore bank accounts.

Kevin Davis, Assistant Chief Investigation Officer at HMRC said:

"Today's judgment demonstrates that crime simply doesn't pay. Ensuring criminals are stripped of their ill-gotten gains is an essential element in law enforcement's fight against crime. HMRC is committed to pursuing those whose lifestyles are funded by criminal activity."

Tyrrell was arrested on 23 October 2000, following an intensive three-month joint surveillance operation by Customs and the National Crime Squad.

In December 1999, Tyrrell purchased Orchard Bay House near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, one of few properties in the country with a private beach, which was intended as a landing place for the smuggled cocaine.

The operation, code-named "Eyefull" culminated as officers awaited the arrival of the yacht 'Blue Hen' from the Caribbean. After an Atlantic crossing of over 3000 miles lasting 32 days, the operation took an unexpected twist. The yacht crew launched their inflatable dinghy off St Catherine's Point with the drugs on board but the engine failed. Adverse weather conditions and strong tidal currents forced the inflatable one mile from its destination to land at the remote beach of Woody Bay, on the Isle of Wight.

As Customs investigators and police watched, the smugglers made desperate attempts to haul the consignment along the treacherous cliff path to Tyrrell's home. When they struck, investigators seized 400kgs of cocaine with a street value of £90 million, one of the largest hauls of cocaine in recent years. The investigation spanned over 14 different countries, including Europe, America and the Caribbean, helping to smash this international drugs organisation.

This case was successfully handled by the newly established Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales.

Notes for editors
1. Michael Tyrrell was originally prosecuted under the Drugs Trafficking Act 1994.

2. The money was confiscated under the following:
a. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1991: importation of drugs
b. Drug Trafficking Act 1994 Section 11: confiscation
c. Drug Trafficking Act 1994 Section 5: Hidden Assets Certificate

3. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 7 April 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK. For further information please contact the RCPO press office on 020 7865 5666.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Media Relations Team
Website www.hmrc.gov.uk