customs seized my new freelander because i gave a lift to a friend who bought cheap baccy can they do this ?

Question

i gave him a lift to pick it up , on the way home we were stopped by the police and arrested customs siezed my car even after i pleaded the tobaccoo was not mine

Answer 1

Presumably when they seized it, they gave you some indication why they had seized it. It sounds to me like they seized it as a proceeds of crime case and if this is the case, you'll have a set amount of time to prove where you got the money to buy the vehicle. If it's legit... no problem. If you have been giving regular "lifts" to your mate and getting paid for it, then kiss goodbye to your car! The courts will expect bank balances and payslips going back for up to a year, as proof that the money was earned fair and square.
Exactly how much tobacco did your mate have? If he wasn't capable of carrying it and needed a lift in a Freelander, it's probably more than enough for personal use. Bringing tax free tobacco back to sell at a profit is a mugs game.

Answer 2

They can do it unless you can show that your friend "coerced" or "tricked" you into doing it. Otherwise you will be found guilty as at least an accessory. Recently there have been a lot of laws created that allow Law Enforcement to seize and confiscate property used in the commission of a crime. Including DUI violations or driving on revoked in some states.

Sounds like customs already knew you had the tobacco in your vehicle and when you crossed the border, you had the police waiting for you. Helluva price to pay for your friends habit.

Answer 3

You are no longer dealing with just the Customs, as in Customs and Excise. What you are actually faced with is the combined might and power of the State in the form of the Inland Revenue and the Customs - beware. You are very lucky if all they have done is impound your vehicle. Presumably this is security against a payment of Excise Duty on goods brought into the UK.

Answer 4

Anything used in the aiding or committing of a crime can be siezed by law enforcement. Drugs, tobacco, anything.

A good example is poaching. If you are caught poaching, you can be fines, lose your hunting license, they can take your gun, decoys, all hunting related items, and your vehicle. Anything used in the act of poaching can be siezed.

While the tobacco was not yours, you gave him a ride, this aiding in his abilities to aquire and transport said tobacco.

I would think you would likely get it back, but plan on being fined, having to pay for towing and storage of the vehicle as well. Best bet, if someone is going to do something illegal, don't give them a ride.

Answer 5

Under EU law customs are wrong to seize duty paid tobacco and can only get away with it in the UK where the Government picks and chooses which laws to apply.You can get your motor returned but the time and expense could make it cheaper to buy another.

Answer 6

You, I am afraid are as guilty as your friend, you aided your so called friend in committing a crime, I would say that your so called friend owes you a car, you have paid a very high price for being more than a little bit naive, it has been the policy for quite some time to confiscate the vehicles of tobacco and booze runners.

Answer 7

Giving a lift to a smuggler is a crime. You did it and from the way you have phrased your question, you knew your friend was going for the "baccy". You and your friend are smugglers. Do the crime; pay the price.

Answer 8

I agree. you particularly don't desire a pal like that. presents and funds are no longer what friendship is approximately. Sharing is nevertheless, and you're merely attempting to espouse this cost. to respond to the question nevertheless, i might provide her a pretend itinerary of your alleged (no longer something is shown till it rather is on action picture) rendezvous. that's unfastened to make, negates the could desire to ever purchase her something returned as you are able to desire to no longer be caught, and supplies her something to do when you consider that she of course has some distance too plenty time on her palms which she is presently employing to seize you.

Answer 9

To put it bluntly me olde baccy smuggler, kiss good bye to your wheels. Don't be surprised if they crush it and send you the bill coz they can. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law.

Answer 10

If something was found in your automoblie by customs officers, you were involved in smuggling. You will have to deal with the authorities despite the fact that the tobacco was not yours (as in you didn't buy it). You did transport the stuff and that is the charge.