• by Miles Brignall Westfield International Transport, the Bristol haulage
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
firm locked in a battle with Customs & Excise after the seizure of its truck containing 500kg of tobacco, has asked its local MP to intervene on its behalf.
Three weeks ago, Westfield's MAN tractive unit and trailer were impounded by Customs after it uncovered the consignment of tobacco, which was allegedly being smuggled into the country by the driver.
Despite pleas from the company's managers that it had nothing to do with the contraband, Customs decided to invoke recently upgraded powers and impound the vehicle. It is now demanding C49,901.01 (the revenue that was evaded on the tobacco) before returning the truck.
Westfield's Ron Moore complains: "Every time I ring them up trying to get information they don't even ring me back. I only know the whereabouts of the truck because it is fitted with satellite tracking."
Moore says his local Lib Dem MP Steve Webb is now raising the matter with the Treasury and is hoping to find out why the haulier is apparently being punished for the driver's actions.
The head of the Road Haulage Association's International Department, Mike Freeman, says that Moore's case is not an isolated one.
"I have got several cases an my desk at the moment (see box) and will take them all to a meeting with Customs officials an 5 September. While we support normal antismuggling measures, we can't operate a system where innocent hauliers are being punished for the driver's actions."
Freeman says that the way Customs is interpreting the per sonal consumption rules has already been drawn to the attention of the European Court, and may contravene the legislation that sets out what Europeans who are crossing borders are permitted to carry.
• See comment, page 7.