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Customs flounders as goods are stolen
Page 6
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Haulier's goods held by Customs have been stolen and his trailer was 'accidentally' auctioned off. Chris Tindall reports.
CUSTOMS & EXCISE (C&E) officers have admitted that an operator's possessions snatched during a dawn raid have been stolen and his trailer has been "accidentally auctioned off'.
Ron Dalton is planning legal action because C&E also refuses to pay the £6,000 legal bill he has incurred in the six years since the bungled raid.
Bedford-based Dalton International carried out work on the continent and regularly transported wine and spirits for various customers. Dalton says that in September 1997,20 C&E and police officers burst into his house while he was away and removed most of his possessions, including £16.0(X) in cash, and arrested his girlfriend (CM 5 June). They suspected he had evaded £10rn in duty.
Dalton was later arrested and interrogated but was released without charge — and is still struggling to get his property back. Earlier this year he finally received £14500. but C&E has admitted that his trailer was auctioned off "in error" two years ago for £3,800. He reckons it's worth £10,000 and is demanding the £6,200 difference plus a payment for the loss of revenue.
To add insult to injury he has been told the rest of his possessions were stolen from a C&E ware house. "They are supposed to be the ultimate power in the country and they get burgled." says Dalton. A C&E spokesman says: -We are in correspondence with the solicitors acting for Mr Dalton in relation to these matters. Hence we are unable to comment."