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No charges in Customs fraud probe No charges in Customs fraud probe
(10 minutes later)
A six-year investigation into claims of fraud by Customs and Excise officials has ended with no action being taken.A six-year investigation into claims of fraud by Customs and Excise officials has ended with no action being taken.
The allegations were linked to several collapsed trials in the 1990s involving controls on alcohol imports.The allegations were linked to several collapsed trials in the 1990s involving controls on alcohol imports.
Scotland Yard's inquiry, codenamed Operation Gestalt, focused on claims that duty-free alcohol had been smuggled from an east London warehouse. The Metropolitan Police's inquiry, codenamed Operation Gestalt, focused on claims that duty-free alcohol had been smuggled from an east London warehouse.
The Crown Prosecution Service said two key individuals would not face charges as it was not in the public interest.The Crown Prosecution Service said two key individuals would not face charges as it was not in the public interest.
'Meticulous investigation'
A Scotland Yard spokesman said the inquiry spanned 54 Customs prosecutions and involved 330 defendants and £1.25bn in lost revenue.
The allegations of perjury, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office were first investigated in 2003 following a request from the Attorney General.
Police looked at cases between 1994 and 2001 involving duty-free alcohol claimed to have been smuggled from the bonded warehouse, London City Bond.
Those cases collapsed when Liverpool Crown Court was told Customs officers encouraged the offences.
Prosecutors asked police to investigate claims there was a failure to identify the true role of individuals and their relationship with London City Bond.
Scotland Yard looked into the activities of 20 former and serving Customs officials.
They have all since been replaced by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) following a merger with Inland Revenue.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "It has been a very complex investigation, involving huge amounts of paperwork and interviews.
"Officers have had to look at each trial and all of its evidence in its entirety, in a meticulous and thorough manner."
He said police examined six cases in detail and submitted nearly 25,000 pages of evidence on just one of these over the last two years.
Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Mawer said: "The CPS concluded that although sufficient evidence existed to support prosecutions against two people, it was not in the public interest to do so.
"As our investigation is now concluded, the matters will be referred to HMRC for them to consider whether any further action is required."