A FRAUDSTER arrested during a crackdown on excise duty evasion has been fined £12,000.

John Wilson, 44, was arrested in Oswaldtwistle in November, 1998, during the East Lancashire-wide operation into the evasion of excise duty on cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco and spirits. A substantial amount of goods was seized.

Wilson, of Tranmerre Cottages, Long Preston, near Skipton, pleaded guilty at Hyndburn magistrates' court to the evasion of £3,551 of excise duty.

As well as the fine, the court ordered Wilson to pay £3,551 compensation to Customs and Excise and £75 costs.

A customs spokesman said: "This case resulted from a good deal of hard work from officers based at Blackburn Fraud Unit.

"On this occasion, the magistrates decided to impose a heavy financial penalty rather than a custodial sentence, which this kind of offence can attract.

"We hope this will send a message to other people who become involved in this kind of activity."

Anyone with information for Customs and Excise can give it in strictest confidence by telephoning 01254 347666, or the Customs Confidential Hotline, manned 24 hours a day, on 0800 59 5000.

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