Man Jailed For Tobacco Smuggling & Money Laundering Offences

A Bangladeshi national was jailed for five years at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday after being found guilty of tobacco smuggling and laundering an estimated £434,000. The revenue loss on the tobacco was estimated to be £3.3 million.

Malcolm Bragg Assistant Chief Investigation Officer for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said: "This is an excellent result for our Investigators who have worked hard to bring this case to its rightful conclusion. Along with the newly formed UK Border Agency we will not hesitate to take action against those dealing in smuggled goods and evading duty. This sentence will serve as a deterrent to others. Dealing in smuggled tobacco products is not a harmless tax fiddle - it cheats the Government of revenue can be used to fund vital public services."

He added: "We would encourage anyone with information relating to suspected stolen or illegally imported goods to contact our 24 hour hotline on 0800 59 5000."

The court heard that Saiful Ahmed Chowdhury, 39, had first been intercepted by HMRC officers at Dover's Eastern Docks on the 10 November 2005. After questioning Chowdhury, HMRC officers searched the van he was travelling in and discovered half a tonne of tobacco concealed in the load of clothing. He was also found to be in possession of approximately £8,500 in cash. He was arrested, interviewed and allowed bail whilst investigations continued.

Whilst on bail Chowdhury was intercepted twice more by HMRC officers at Dover each time at the outward bound controls and found to be in possession of a further £57,000 in July 2006 and £54,000 in September 2006. These sums were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act and he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and as a condition of bail surrendered his passport.

Further investigation by HMRC officers showed that Chowdhury had set up a business account and between September and December 2006 had transferred in excess of £380,000 to a tobacco supplier in Belgium.