Archive: Impounded Vehicles Returned

This truck, owned by a Polish  operator, was found to be carrying 50,000 cigarettes smuggled by a rogue driver. The truck was restored to the operator after SBC made representations to Border Force.

This Operator, represented by Simon Clarke, arrived at the Hoek den Holland ferry port hoping to board the Harwich ferry. Unfortunately the Dutch Authorities discovered a number of Clandestine Entrants (Illegals) hidden in the load of machinery. The load was destined for a time-sensitive national event and just had to […]

An Eastern European haulier approached SBC after their truck and trailer was seized and impounded by the UK Border Force. A large quantity of illegal drugs had been found in the trailer. The haulier had been unaware of their existence. SBC was able to quickly arrange the release and onward […]

A Bulgarian haulier approached Smith Bowyer Clarke after one of their trucks was stopped by UK customs at Coquelles, on the basis that the haulier’s paperwork was not in order. As a result the truck, trailer and load were all seized and impounded under s139 of the Customs and Excise […]

A major European haulier sought help from SBC after UK customs officers seized a truck and trailer unit. A large amount of tobacco had been found in the trailer unit by UK Border Force officers and both had been seized and detained in the UK. SBC worked closely with the […]

SBC were approached by a large European finance house after one of their trucks was impounded in the UK. The UK authorities had evidence that the truck had been operated in the UK in breach of the cabotage regulations. The finance house was the ultimate owner of the vehicle, and […]

We can do no better than quote our client’s review: “Smith Bowyer Clarke assisted us to recover goods seized by the Border Force in Dover. The equipment had been seized more than 2 weeks before we approached SBC for assistance and we had not made any progress during that time. […]

Our client, a major Dutch haulier, had their truck seized for alleged breach of the cabotage regulations. Because only the ‘owner’ of a seized vehicle can apply for its return, Simon Clarke was instructed by a major international finance house to recover the vehicle. Having considered Simon’s written arguments, the […]

Our client, a large European operator, had one of their trucks stopped by the UK Border Force. It was found to contain (unknown to our client) a large quantity of contraband. The vehicle was seized by the authorities and SBC were instructed to urgently seek the release of the legitimate […]

A large European haulage company had one of their trucks seized by the UK Border Force. Illegal immigrants had been found concealed within. A prosecution was commenced against the driver for facilitating illegal entry and the truck was impounded as evidence in the prosecution case. The haulage company had no […]