POL00094100
POL00094100
Co
CG:
Catherine Churchard LLB
Solicitor & Legal Services Director
23 September 2004
Messrs Frisby & Co
Solicitors
26, Eastgate Street
Stafford
ST16 2LZ
For the attention of Andrew W Broome
Our Ref: CRM/239850/DH
Your Ref: AB/VK/10161
Dear Sirs
REGINA ~v- le CARL ADRIAN PAGE
STAFFORD 2005
Although the material held by Customs & Excise had previously been inspected on behalf of this
office, in the light of earlier correspondence I asked Counsel to review all the material held at Custom
House. Following his inspection, it remains the view of the prosecution that none of this material
falls for disclosure. However, in the interests of transparency, I wish to advise you of the following:
@)
()
()
i)
In the autumn of 2001, there was a brief investigation into suspected money-laundering
involving currency transactions in Belgian Francs, Dutch Guilders and Irish Punts. None of
these had been tr igh the Rugeley Sub Post Office. Following this, no action
was taken agains’ i}
In_ September 2002, a further investigation began into suspected money-laundering by
ind RPX Recycled Plastics Ltd.
As part of this investigation, Production Orders were obtained at Southwark Crown Court (i)
on 20" November 2002 against Thomas Cook, and (ii) on 5" December 2002 against HSBC.
Following a financial investigation, a surveillance operation centred on I
commenced on 10 December 2002. -
On 8" January 2003, a BMW motor car index___ GRO ___i containing three passengers was
stopped by Customs Officers at Cheriton. I aid that he travelled once a
month; Brendan Horton said that he travelled three times a year; Gary Elsey said that he
travelled 20 times a year, and was visiting Sollac, a French national steel company. The
passengers said that they were in the recycling business with RPX. Together they had £ 445
and 7565 Euros; they were allowed to proceed with the cash.
The surveillance operation ceased with the arrest of on 13” January 2003.
© Royal Mail 2002 ~ Page 1 of 2
Royal Mail is a trading name of Royal Mail Group ple. Registered number 4138203,
Registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 148 Old Street, LONDON, EC1V SHO.
POL00094100
POL00094100
POL00094100
POL00094100
‘es (g) Mr Page was at no stage a target of either Customs & Excise investigation, although his
identity as the Sub Postmaster at Rugeley was known as from 12" December 2002.
Arrangements are currently being made for Counsel to review all the material held by HM Customs
and Excise in Birmingham. This has been delayed due to sick leave, but every effort is being:‘made
to enable Counsel to view the material in the near future.
Yours faithfully
Senior Lawyer
Criminal Law Division
deborah.helszajni
© Royal Mail 2002 - Page 2 of 2
POL00094100
POL00094100