Booze runners face ban
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• Hauliers involved in crossChannel booze smuggling have been threatened with a travel ban as part of a major crackdown by police and ferry firms in Dover.
Bootleggers and other offenders on Channel crossings now face having their passports stamped and an indefinite travel ban as part of a joint initiative involving the police, Customs & Excise and the major ferry companies.
The move follows several incidents of cigarette and alcohol duty evasion and smuggling involving hauliers.
Two months ago a Stranraer lorry driver was jailed for nine months for evading duty on alcohol and tobacco. And in June two drivers working for Dudley haulier Mark Nixon received jail terms of up to six months after they were found guilty of smuggling alcohol. Bootlegging is estimated to cost the Government £1.5bn a year in lost alcohol and tobacco taxes. A spokesman for Kent police warns: "Through our joint efforts, we will enforce our message to those criminals involved in bootlegging that we will pursue them."
The ferry companies signed up to the scheme are P&O European Ferries, Seafrance, Stena Line and Sally Line. Le Shuttle has also joined.