A 38-year-old man from Stourbridge is among five men and a woman who have been arrested as part of a suspected £440m alcohol fraud and money laundering raid.
Private addresses and businesses in Stourbridge, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, London and Surrey were searched this morning (Thursday, June 15).
More than 100 officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with officers from the National Customs Judicial Service (SNDJ) and local police were part of the raids.
Today’s raids follow five arrests made by the French authorities on January 30 in connection with the investigation, which is being done through Eurojust.
A 52-year-old man from the Calais area has been remanded in custody, with the four others released on bail pending further enquiries.
Paul Fisher, assistant director of the Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC, said: “Tax fraud is often thought victimless, but it isn’t; the public lose out on vital funds for essential public services.
“We will continue to work with our partners in the UK and overseas to tackle alcohol fraud and money laundering.”
Computers, business records and cash were seized during the operation and all six of those arrested in the UK remain in custody while investigations continue.
Anyone with information regarding alcohol fraud and money laundering should contact HMRC’s fraud hotline on 0800 788 887.
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