A man from Beverley is among fourteen people who were arrested this morning in dawn raids conducted by HM Revenue and Customs across the North of England.
Investigators were targeting six commercial businesses along with eight residential properties in the North of England relating to a multi-million pound landfill tax fraud.
HM Revenue and Customs were joined by local police who targeted address in Leeds, Hull, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Washington and Hartlepool.
Simon York, the director at the HMRC fraud investigation service, said: “Today’s activities are the culmination of 18 months’ painstaking investigation into the suspected systematic abuse of the landfill tax system.
“We believe that over £78m revenue may be involved, money which could be used to fund some of the UK’s most vital public services. No one is above paying their fair and legal share of tax, as the rest of us do, and we are closing in on those who try to cheat the system.
“HMRC, working with our law enforcement partners, will do everything within our power to catch those involved in tax fraud of any kind, and will push for the strongest punishments through the court.”
In total, 11 men and three women were arrested, ranging from 23 to 49 years old.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency is supporting HMRC in a major operation at locations across Yorkshire and the north-east. “We are working closely with our partner organisations to help stamp out landfill tax evasion.”
What, like they are investigating and prosecuting corporate businesses and multi rich individuals who are abusing the tax system, I think not.