Unlawful Confiscation tobacco smuggling


On occasions the enforcement authorities can get it wrong and confiscation takes place, or proceedings are issued, which are either unlawful or which are in some way flawed in the way in which they are dealt with or prosecuted.

One such example has recently occurred in relation to cash and assets which have been confiscated from those who have been convicted of tobacco smuggling.


Chambers Case


In a recent case involving a man by the name of William Chambers it was revealed that Customs officers had obtained a confiscation order based on 1992 legislation which had been updated in 2001 to exclude tobacco products.  This led to a review being instigated by HM Revenue & Customs (the Chambers Review) which has revealed that more than £88 million has been seized from people found guilty of counterfeiting tobacco brands since 2005 and that officers may need to track back through 4,000 case files.


Contact Richard Nelson Solicitors

If you believe that you may have been wrongly subject to confiscation proceedings, or if you believe that your case may be one which comes within the parameters of those being re-opened under the Chambers Review then please contact us and we will be happy to look into your case for you.