Market Drayton firms raided by Customs

Two Market Drayton businesses have been raided as part of an investigation into suspected multi-million VAT and money laundering in the caravan and motor home industry.

HM Revenue & Customs officers searched nine premises - seven domestic and two commercial - in Staffordshire, Greater Manchester and Shropshire yesterday as part of the operation codenamed Quicksilver.

Six men were arrested as part of the operation on suspicion of conspiracy to cheat the public revenue and money laundering offences.

Nobody from either of the premises raided in Market Drayton was arrested.

The men are believed to be part of an organised crime syndicate purporting to trade in large quantities of high value caravan accessories in a version of "missing trader"fraud.

This involves the creation of a contrived chain of companies and false paperwork for the sole purpose of reclaiming VAT on the purchase of equipment in the UK, for goods allegedly then exported to the European Union.

Mobile phones, computers and quantities of business and financial paperwork were seized as part of the raids.

Gary Lampon, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said the raids were the result of a lengthy investigation and those arrested were taken to police stations in Staffordshire and Greater Manchester for questioning by investigators.

The HMRC operation was assisted by Staffordshire and Cheshire police forces.

Richard Ewels, West Mercia Police spokesman, said: "We were informed, but not involved with the operation."

Yesterday's arrests included three men aged 36, 37 and 46 from the Stafford area, one man aged 45 from Stone, a 67-year-old man from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, and a man from Stockport. They have all been bailed until October 5.

Roy Aldcroft, chairman of Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said he was not aware of the current investigation.

"There has never been anything on this scale in regards to fraud in Market Drayton," he said.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to fraud should call the Customs hotline on 0800 595000.