Tobacco fraudster, Keith Betham, sentenced

Keith Betham (DOB: 14/03/59) of St Wilfred’s Drive, Rochdale has been sentenced to 16 months jail (suspended for two years), 200 hours unpaid community work order and an order for a 10-day ‘new directions activity’ for rehabilitation at Manchester Crown Court today (27 August 2014).

On 14 July 2014, Betham pleaded guilty to eight counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of Excise Duty on non-UK-duty paid cigarettes and tobacco. He had been dealing/harbouring/carrying and transporting these goods in his own personal vehicle, knowing that by doing so he was committing an offence contrary to Section 170 of The Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

The offences involved the seizure of the following: On 26 July 2012, from his vehicle, home address and a rented unit in Rugby Road, Rochdale: 72,080 smuggled ‘Yesmoke’ and ‘Pride’ cigarettes, 10.8 kilos of ‘Golden Virginia’ and ‘Amber Leaf’ hand rolling tobacco (HRT) worth £16,984.88 in evaded UK duty. Bundles of cash officers totalling £5,000 were also seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

HMRC investigation involved the analysis of mobile phone text messages and CCTV footage obtained from the Bungalow Storage Site, Rugby Road, Rochdale which showed on five separate occasions between 19 and 26 July 2012 Betham transporting more illegal cigarettes and HRT in his vehicle to and from his rented unit. In interview Betham admitted he sold the tobacco. Total fraud figure is £29,460.69 in evaded UK duty.

Sandra Smith, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC said: “Betham now faces a proceeds of crime hearing in December to recover the money he illegally made on the cigarette sales. HMRC will not hesitate to investigate those who try to profit from defrauding honest taxpayers, and businesses, by providing an unregulated supply of smuggled tobacco. Anyone with information about illegal smuggling activity, the transport, storage or sale of illicit cigarettes or alcohol should contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000."