During a recent SPIN (Southampton Ports Information Network) Meeting, Dave Lampen of HMRC spoke about some of the prevention and enforcement work that HMRC have carried out at the terminal during 2005.

The Customs Team is 35 strong and headed by two Higher Officers – Dave Lampen & Adrian Witt, with support from 4 Intelligence Officers. Overall responsibility for the district lies with John Grounds, who is currently away on detachment. Keith Tulley is filling his position for the next 6 months.

The Customs Team is supported at by a liaison team from SCT, Lee Copper, who has recently been appointed and is supported by 5 land riggers, who undertake manual duties such as loading and unloading of boxes and fork lift work.

The team at the terminal have had some noted successes, among these are 4 seizures of heroin amounting to 127kg since January 2005, which have resulted in a number of arrests with court cases pending.

Another area of success has been in the area of prevention of tobacco smuggling with an astonishing 37 million cigarettes seized since last January worth in the region of £7 million in lost revenue.