Operation Eons
Five convicted tobacco smugglers have been ordered to pay back more than £780,000 of ill-gotten criminal gains in a successful confiscation case taken forward by investigators from HM Revenue & Customs and the North East Regional Asset Recovery team.
Following a 2004 investigation into the illegal smuggling and trading of duty free cigarettes and tobacco across South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, code name Operations Eons, seven people were brought to justice and received varying punishments from community service orders to 3 ½ years imprisonment.
DCI Steve Waite from the NE RART stated: This result shows that the court not only takes the issue of cigarette smuggling seriously, this is reflected in the sentences given by the judge in this case, but also gives the recognition that the defendants had benefited financially from their crimes. Results like this prove that crime does not pay
A senior HMRC investigator stated: “Operation Eons is a prime example of what can be achieved through partnership working, this is a very positive result. Our investigators have worked closely with the NE RART to ensure that not only are criminals successfully prosecuted and punished, but that they are forced to hand back money made via their criminal activity. That money can go back into the system and contribute towards vital public services”.
The confiscation unit of the HM Court Services have enforced £15,070 to date, the remainder will be pursued once the defendants reach the “time to pay” date.