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Operator demands more from Customs
Page 6
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• An innocent nauiler whose truck was seized by bungling Customs officers who suspected him of smuggling diesel says they are refusing to pay him adequate compensation.
Owner-driver Sean McGuigan was stopped at the Irish border in September. Customs officers were suspicious of his non-standard fuel tank—the truck was seized and he was then told it would not be returned.
In fact McGuigan got his truck back 10 days later with an apology from Customs for acting on "incorrect advice". Customs admitted that correct procedures were not followed and an apology was given for the false impression that Customs no longer returned seized vehicles.
But McGuigan says the compensation Customs has finally offered to pay him is "woefully short' of the amount he has spent on legal fees and loss of earnings: "These guys have really rattled my cage. I have spent a lot of money and time chasing Customs.
"i am not asking for the moon and stars—I am asking for a fair price." McGuigan has received about £3.500 but calculates that Customs owes his company £5,700. A Customs spokesman sa the amount offered McGuigan was reviewed and, further evidence, was increase "We see it as resolved," ti spokesman adds, "We adMitti we wrongly seized the vehicle he still wants to take it furthE he can via an adjudicator.'
• Customs & Excise says ti first year of its Tackle Tobacco campaign has been success—the growth in cigi rette smuggling has be stopped in its tracks.
In Its latest annual repo Customs also says It Is on tai got to cut illegal diesel to 2% total sales by 2008; the figui fell from 7% to 5% in 2001-0 Customs says it seized 2 billion cigarettes and smi shed 83 gangs of smugglers 2001-02.