£15 Million Launderers Jailed for Over a Decade
Two men caught laundering millions through a dodgy booze business have been handed hefty jail sentences. Jonathan Porter, 57, from Essex, and Peter Stanley, 64, from central London, were found guilty after a lengthy Southwark Crown Court trial.
Behind the Scenes of the Alcohol Scam
Porter ran Europlus Trading Ltd, claiming to supply French wholesalers in Calais. In reality, he and Stanley were raking in £15 million from London cash and carry alcohol sellers dealing in untaxed booze. Couriers collected the cash, which Stanley supervised, before delivering it back to Europlus’ Greenwich HQ.
Between April 2014 and June 2015, Porter funnelled £15 million through Europlus’ bank accounts. Stanley personally handled the delivery of £7.5 million. The money is believed to come from the sale of non-duty paid alcohol, a lucrative but illegal trade.
Crackdown and Arrests
HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service cracked down hard. Stanley was caught red-handed on June 11, 2015, outside Europlus with £41,500 in cash. Police also found £45,000 tucked away in a warehouse safe. Porter was arrested that same day, with thousands in cash discovered at his home and Stanley’s.
The seized cash is now subject to forfeiture proceedings by HMRC, who also destroyed untaxed alcohol found at two London wholesalers connected to the scheme.
Justice Served
Both men were convicted of money laundering at Southwark Crown Court on 10 January 2022. Sentencing followed on 11 February. Porter received seven years behind bars and a decade-long ban from running any company. Stanley got five years and nine months in jail.
“Money laundering is not a victimless crime. Laundered cash funds other serious crimes that bring harm and misery to communities,” said HMRC Assistant Director Terry Braithwaite. “We will investigate and pursue those involved relentlessly.”
HMRC is also seeking a Serious Crime Prevention Order to stop the duo from slipping back into crime. If you suspect fraud, HMRC urges you to report it via the GOV.UK online form.
