Customs and Immigration Annual Report 2007

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION SERVICE

ANNUAL REPORT 2007

MISSION STATEMENT

"THE  CUSTOMS  AND  IMMIGRATION  SERVICE  IS  COMMITTED  TO  PROVIDING  A  STRONG  AND EFFECTIVE BORDER CONTROL IN ORDER TO PROTECT JERSEY FROM THE THREATS OF:

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE MOVEMENT OF PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED GOODS; AND

LOSS OF GOVERNMENT REVENUE FROM EVASION OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DUTIES;

WHILST  HONOURING  THE  ISLAND'S  EXTERNAL  CUSTOMS,  IMMIGRATION,  PASSPORT  AND NATIONALITY OBLIGATIONS AND, WHEREVER PRACTICAL, MEETING THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE MOVEMENT FOR PEOPLE AND GOODS."

INDEX

PAGE FOREWORD    1

CUSTOMS AND EXCISE   3 IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY  10 LAW ENFORCEMENT   17 APPENDIX – Service Organisation Chart   23

Introduction from the Head of Service

In my foreword to the 2006 Annual Report I commented that 2007 would be a challenging year for the Service, and that most certainly proved to be the case. The Service has had a very busy time in all its areas of work and significant results have been achieved due to the dedication and hard work of all my colleagues at Customs and Immigration.

Matters to note are:

- The target for revenue collection was efficiently met, whilst the work continued apace to prepare us for the introduction of GST;

- Demand for passports remained high and the extra work for the issue of biometric passports resulted in some understandable delays;

- Immigration casework saw a substantial increase in work permits, naturalisations and deportations;

- The review by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs of our investigative abilities was a welcome endorsement of the excellent work our Officers undertake in dealing with serious offences.

There were two other issues of significance. The first was the shortfall in manpower and the way that compromised the Service's ability to adequately fulfil its statutory functions. The second was the criminal investigation of Customs and Immigration Officers by the States of Jersey Police and the effect that had on the staff and the work of the Service. I will comment on each of these before finally looking forward to 2008.

It was recognised at an early stage that the Service would have difficulties with resources in 2007. The core problem arose because the Service had had to reduce officer numbers due to the 2005 Fundamental Spending Review and Corporate Efficiency savings processes, and this was exacerbated in 2007 by a large increase in shipping and aircraft movements. Most of these extra movements arrived from abroad which meant that the Service was obliged to provide the Immigration controls. The only way this could be managed was by not resourcing the Customs controls at the critical pressure points – a situation which must be viewed as unacceptable in the long term. The Minister for Home Affairs has now applied for extra funding for 2009 to bring staffing levels back to pre 2005 levels.

The Police investigation commenced at the end of August and lasted for eight weeks and was followed by an internal enquiry that I instigated. The end results of the investigation and enquiry showed there was no evidence for any criminal proceedings nor internal disciplinary action. Naturally I was very pleased that the innocent officers involved were completely exonerated of any wrongdoing. While an investigation of this nature was

Customs and Immigration Service  

bound to cause stress for those officers and some tension between the Investigation and Intelligence Sections of the Island's two law enforcement agencies, Police and Customs and Immigration officers at the frontiers and in the Joint financial Crime Unit continued to work together effectively. It is vital that any unresolved issues are dealt with expeditiously and that our efforts are focussed on working together for the benefit of the community. It is recognised that Police & Customs have complementary roles in keeping the Island safe from illegal drugs and that it is essential that the resources available to both agencies are utilized in the most efficient manner possible to prevent duplication of effort.

2008 will be another challenging year and I want to thank all my colleagues in the Service for their commitment and professionalism, on which I rely to help us deal with the threats posed to our community from illegal, prohibited or dutiable goods and from those who seek to enter our Island unlawfully.

Michael Robinson Head of Service

Customs and Immigration Service  

Goods Control

2007 again represented a busy and varied year for Officers involved in revenue collection and goods control duties. During the year the general consumption of certain excise goods dropped whilst for other excise goods consumption remained consistent with 2006. This resulted in an increase of just under £1.5 million in the duty collected compared to 2006. The total duty collected by the Service in 2007 was £52,875,615.

Throughout the year the Service remained heavily involved in the implementation of the new Goods and Services Tax, working closely with officers from the Income Tax Department and the international development company, Crown Agents.

Cigarette Seizures

A total of 305,762 cigarettes were seized by officers during 2007. In the main these cigarettes were either imported in travellers' baggage, in excess of duty free reliefs, or via the postal system, where importers or addressees declined to pay the relevant excise duty. This figure is slightly ahead of 2006 and represents a duty value of £45,864. Approximately 500 individual seizures were made. One prosecution was brought during the year against two air passengers who had smuggled some 7,000 cigarettes into the Island amongst their luggage. Both were convicted at the Magistrate's Court and fined £500 each; the cigarettes concerned were seized and destroyed. The Service conducted a risk testing exercise during November in order to assess whether the threat of commercial excise smuggling had increased. Whilst officers seized some 22,000 cigarettes during this exercise, no evidence was adduced to indicate that the risk posed by large scale smuggling had increased.

Other Seizures

The Service continues to give high priority to the enforcement of legislation concerning the importation of firearms and other restricted and prohibited weapons / explosives. During the year there were 3 seizures of firearms / related material consisting of two paintball guns, an air rifle and a component part for a firearm. These items had been imported either via the post or amongst courier goods and whilst properly declared were not supported by the required Import Licences. Additionally officers made 2 seizures of flick knives and 2 seizures of fireworks. All these items were subsequently destroyed.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Seizures of indecent or obscene material were slightly up on the previous year. Some 69 personal / non commercial seizures were made.

There were 3 seizures of commercial quantities of counterfeit items; one involved clothing items bearing false brand names and two others, for the first time, involved imports of high-tech' goods with false trade marks that had been imported unwittingly by local traders from sources in the Far East.

An emerging trend during 2007 was the seizure of commercial quantities of medications imported into the Island from Asia without a required Product Licence issued under the Medicines (Jersey) Law 1995. Two commercial' seizures were made of this type, one involving Viagra' and the second concerned the medications piperazine (TFMPP) & benzylpiperazine (BZP). In both cases officers liaised closely with the Chief Pharmacist and the medicines were seized and destroyed.

VAT Accounting Scheme

The UK Import VAT Accounting Scheme continues to flourish. At the end of 2007 there were some 85 Scheme Members operating e-commerce businesses in the Island and paying UK Import VAT in accordance with Scheme rules. The Service presented the 2006 Annual Report of the Scheme's operation to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and it was accepted in total. Amended Scheme terms and conditions requiring Members to possess a Licence issued under the Regulation of Undertakings and Development (Jersey) Law 1973 have bedded in well and all Members now possess valid licences.

Foot and Mouth

In August 2007 the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom led officers to enforce additional restrictions upon the importation of susceptible live animals and uncertified meat and diary products. Officers liaised closely with inspectors from the Health Protection Team of the Health and Social Services Department throughout this period and many uncertified imports of meat and diary products were detected amongst passenger baggage and subsequently seized and destroyed. Local restrictions were removed in November upon the declaration by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that the UK outbreak had ended.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Diesel Checks

The Service continued to give a high priority to the enforcement of conditions attached to the use of fuels benefiting from relief of excise duty. Officers took part in 11 road checks together with the Honorary Police and officers from Driver and Vehicle Standards. Some 236 diesel vehicles were dip' tested and 3 were found to be running illegally on duty free red diesel.

Impôts

In December the budget was debated by the States Assembly and increases, based on the September rise in the retail price index, of Impôts duty rates on most excise goods were agreed.

Following the budget the proportion of Impôts duty on the local retail price of some common excise goods are:

• A litre of whisky -  £8.88
• A bottle of table wine -  £1.06
• A pint of normal beer -   27p
• 20 cigarettes -  £3.00
• A litre of unleaded petrol or diesel -   41p

Vehicle Registration Duty

Two years ago the States agreed, as part of the Fiscal Strategy debate, to the investigation of potential environmental taxes on waste, motor transport and energy. In addition the Minister for Planning and Environment was tasked by the States to advise on an environmental tax that could replace the current Vehicle Registration Duty (VRD). Detailed research work was undertaken by the Environment Minister's Department and reported to the Council of Ministers which concluded that there was a range of viable environmental taxes, the revenues from which could support the achievement of the strategic objectives for greater waste recycling, enhanced public transport and an energy efficiency programme, as well as replacing VRD.

Customs and Immigration Service  

The Council of Ministers' preference was to consult on a single, simple environmental tax that was capable of raising sufficient revenue to fund both VRD replacement and the stated environmental objectives programme. The Environment Minister made full details of this research available to the public and in the first quarter of 2007 consulted on a preferred environmental tax of an annual motor vehicle duty based on vehicle emissions.

However, having considered the feedback from the public to the consultation exercise the Minister for Treasury and Resources judged that it would not have been sensible to try and rush the introduction of environmental taxes in the 2008 budget and consequently did not propose a replacement of VRD when he brought his budget proposals to the States last December.

Although other environmental initiatives are being examined it is his intention to bring legislation before the States to allow for a replacement for VRD, to commence at the same time as the introduction of GST. This replacement will base the duty liability on vehicles Carbon Dioxide - CO2 -

emissions rather than engine size. The liability will occur on the date of first registration in Jersey, as is currently applicable under VRD.

Manufacturer's CO2 emission data is not available for all vehicles therefore the duty liability for vehicles without CO2 emission data will be calculated on engine size.

The Future

In the summer of 2006 Crown Agents were commissioned to conduct a review of Customs operational activities and working practices. They concluded that existing methods of working and associated support systems were not adequate to the task of collecting import GST and the Service fully accepted that a programme of modernisation was required.

A project to deliver this modernisation and change was initiated in October 2006 and continued throughout 2007. In overall terms the aims of the project are:

• To prepare the Customs and Immigration Service for the collection of import GST and where necessary modernise the revenue and goods administration, practices and procedures in line with international best practice; and

Customs and Immigration Service  

• To introduce risk based management techniques and streamlined import/export procedures which will achieve the right balance between Customs' need to properly enforce Customs law and regulations and its commitment to facilitate the processing and clearance of legitimate trade with minimum Customs intervention.

The project will continue up to the time of GST implementation and the areas that will be examined include:

• Tariff Classification
• Communications and the design of internal and external publicity material and guidance notes
• Control methodologies particularly related to import and export GST and customs relief regimes
• Continuation in drafting of relief regimes legislation
• Training needs update and development of course design and a delivery programme
• Risk Analysis
• Post Importation Auditing
• Using computer generated information for management control, information analysis and resource deployment
• Disaster recovery–understanding and using fall back procedures

Customs and Immigration Service  

IMPÔTS RECEIPTS £ MILLIONS

Customs and Immigration Service  

Impôts Duties 2007

VRD, £4,797,898.00,

9.1%

Spirits, £3,928,845.89,

7.4%

Wines, £5,707,757.18,

10.8%

Fuel, £19,819,572.84,

37.5%

Cider, £708,171.07, 1.3%

Beer, £4,935,989.33, 9.3%

Goods, £191,484.04,

0.4% Tobacco, £12,785,896.65,

24.2%

Customs and Immigration Service  

Introduction

There are three approved ports of entry into the Island: the Airport, St Helier and Gorey. Immigration Officers are responsible for on-entry control and are in attendance for all scheduled arrivals from abroad. These Officers examine all passengers to ascertain their identity and, if without the right of abode, to grant or refuse them leave to enter under the Directions of the Lieutenant Governor.

2007 & 2008 Summer Seasons

2007 Immigration Boat Arrivals

The above table shows the number of vessels whose passengers were required to be subject to Immigration control on arrival in Jersey during 2007. The forecast increase in the number of continental arrivals did not fully materialise due to various factors including the delayed commencement of the Compagnie Corsaire service on the Jersey-St Malo route, and also due to cancellations caused by the poor weather and technical difficulties of HD Ferries.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Nonetheless the actual increases between 2006 and 2007 were still significant (a 50% overall increase) and severely stretched the resources of the Frontier teams.

2008 will continue to see continental arrivals at slightly increased levels to those of 2007 whilst resourcing issues are yet to be resolved. Arrivals

2007 saw two new carriers - HD Ferries and Compagnie Corsaire - join Condor in operating a ferry service between Jersey and St Malo and the overall number of passenger arrivals from St Malo increased by 13% compared with 2006.

The gains on the St Malo route were somewhat compensated by a decrease in traffic on the routes operated by Manche Iles Express from the Normandy ports of Granville (-20%) and Carteret (-2%).

Passenger arrivals at the airport continued to fall (-4.75%).

Comparison of Passenger Arrival Statistics 2006/2007

Customs and Immigration Service  

Passenger Boat Arrivals by Port of Departure 2007

Refusals

22 persons were refused entry during 2007. There were no identifiable trends in the nationalities of persons refused entry. Over 75% of the persons refused entry had travelled from St Malo which continues to be the port of departure posing the largest risk.

Whilst there is no formal immigration control between the territories of the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland and Crown Dependencies), potential immigration offenders referred to the Customs and Immigration Service led to 3 persons being refused entry having travelled to Jersey from the United Kingdom.

Deportations

A deportation order requires the subject to leave the Bailiwick of Jersey and authorises his/her detention until he/she is removed. It also prohibits him or her from re-entering for as long as it is in force and invalidates any leave to enter or remain in the Bailiwick of Jersey given him or her before the order was made or while it is in force.

Customs and Immigration Service  

In the past the number of deportations remained fairly constant at around 5 – 6 cases per annum. However, 2007 was an exceptional and record breaking year. 17 non-British criminals were deported upon completion of sentence including one Bangladeshi citizen who was convicted in Jersey but served the majority of his sentence in the UK. Also, some 41 pre-sentencing notices were served, thus allowing the Court to recommend deportation at sentencing time. The vast majority of these offenders – 33 in number - were Portuguese nationals, most of whom were involved with heroin importation. Polish offenders numbered six. Of those sentenced, 28 persons were recommended for deportation.

e-Borders

e-Borders is a United Kingdom Border and Immigration Agency led partnership and includes the border agencies of Police, HM Revenue and Customs and UK Visas. Using new technology an integrated electronic system will check travellers before they enter the UK and will prevent travel to those who have no right to enter or who are known security threats. e-Borders will also enable appropriate actions to be taken against passengers of interest to the border agencies, and to collect information on when people arrive and whether they leave.

The Jersey Customs & Immigration Service is continuing to engage with the Home Office concerning Jersey's involvement in the project, and in early 2008 will take part in a series of workshops to examine in closer detail the legal and technical requirements that need to be resolved in advance of our participation in e-Borders. Current estimates are that Jersey and the other Crown Dependencies will fully participate in e-Borders from 2010 onwards.

Casework

The Casework Section deals with a wide variety of immigration work, pre-entry and after entry, as well as answering general questions from members of the public.

With the exception of nationals of the European Union, most nationalities and most categories of entrant apart from visitors require an entry clearance before they arrive in Jersey. Any application relating to Jersey is dealt with by the Embassy or High Commission in the country where the applicant originates and it has to be referred for authority to issue or refuse. 527 referrals were received during the course of 2007 (up 19% on 2006 and 22.5% on 2005). Over the last 5 years we have seen a remarkable increase in Entry Clearance referrals of 95%. With the continued growth of the finance and legal sectors this increase in referrals shows no sign of diminishing.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Ease of travel has resulted in relationships with foreign nationals and the greatest number of referrals continued to be received in the fiancée and spouse categories. The increase in travel has also resulted in a significant increase in the number of general enquiries from people wishing friends and family from abroad to join them for visits and extended periods.

Entry Clearance refusals dramatically increased in 2007 rising by over 260%. Refusals have, for example, been issued in relation to applicants not being genuine visitors, not meeting the requirements for unmarried partners, and providing counterfeit documents. The increase in refusals highlights that the Entry Clearance system is abused by some applicants and that as such all applications need to be thoroughly vetted before any recommendation is made.

The section also deals with Work Permit applications (up 11% on 2006 and up 15% on 2005) where employers have to prove that they are unable to fill vacancies with either British citizens or nationals of a European Union country. These fall into two categories, skilled and unskilled. The hotel and catering industries inform us that they still find it difficult to recruit staff and 112 permits were issued in this sector. However, this figure is down 25% on 2006, and reflects the increased use of EEA nationals. The buoyant state of the financial sector has resulted in an increase in applications for accountants and other experts in all areas of finance and 161 work permits have been issued (+66%).

The increase in both Entry Clearance referrals and Work Permit applications, coupled with an increase in the complexity of these referrals and applications, has had a pronounced impact on the Casework Section's resources. As such it has necessitated that the standard turnaround time for referrals and applications be increased from 1 to 3 weeks.

The increase in the workload of the Casework section is shown in the graphs on the following page.

Customs and Immigration Service  

EC referrals 2003-2007

600 500 400

300 200 100 0

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Year

Work Permit & Entry Clearances

1000

900

800

700

600

WPs receipted 500

400 EC referrals 300

200

100

0

2005 2006 2007

Customs and Immigration Service  

Annual Report 2007  

Page 15 of 23  

Naturalisation

The Customs and Immigration Service received 57 applications for naturalisation in 2007. Application for British citizenship can be made after three years residence in the case of foreign nationals who are married to British citizens and after five years in other cases.

Once again of the applications received in 2007 over half were from Commonwealth countries, with the largest number coming from South Africa. Ease of travel continues to be cited as the main reason for applying for British citizenship and the fact that only 5 applicants were from the European Union probably reflects the fact that in general EU nationals can travel as freely as British citizens.

A major review of the Naturalisation process was carried out with the intention of bringing our process in line with the UK. This is intended to simplify the bureaucratic procedure, and decrease the turnaround time for applications whilst maintaining high standards. Pending approval from the Lieutenant-Governor, it is intended that this process will begin in early 2008.

From 1st January 2008 those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will be required to demonstrate a requisite knowledge of English and then to pass a Settlement test before their application for ILR is accepted. This will bring Jersey in line with the UK who introduced these

requirements on 2nd April 2007. The changes have been introduced to ensure that those who apply for settlement are be able to speak English and to show the requisite knowledge to be able to integrate fully into society in the UK and the islands. These changes were publicised in the Jersey Evening Post and negotiations are ongoing with Highlands College to introduce the required English Speakers of Other Languages and Life in the UK and Jersey courses.

Passports

2007 saw the first full year of operation of the biometric passport system, GIPSY. This system had been installed in October 2006 giving the staff a little time to familiarise themselves with the layout of the system and adapt to the required new working practices.

There were a few technical problems with GIPSY resulting in nineteen calls to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Services' helpdesk in the UK where the system is hosted. These calls were dealt with within the period specified in our service level agreement with FCO Services and

Customs and Immigration Service  

the service to the public was only briefly affected on two occasions. The Helpdesk calls are analysed by FCO Services and are the subject of regular reports and dialog between us to ensure that a high level of service is maintained

It was apparent from an early stage that the processing time per application was increased; this resulted in a backlog of just over three weeks in the busiest months and the staff coped admirably with the demand.

We continued to liaise with our counterparts in Guernsey and the Isle of Man on passport matters and the islands have been invited to participate in meetings of two key committees of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and FCO in the UK.

The first is the Passport Design and Procurement Committee which is looking at a new design for all British passports and inviting tendering for the contract to manufacture and produce the new passport. The second is the IPS and FCO Standards Committee, which is concerned with matters of policy relating to the issue of British passports in the UK and abroad.

Our inclusion in these two committees ensures that the needs of the islands will not be forgotten when major decisions relating to the issue of British passports are taken.

Passports issued in 2007 totalled 10,671, just 233 short of the 2006 total. The UK increased their fees in October to £72 for an adult and £46 for a child and in line with established practice Jersey applied the same fee increases.

Legalisation

The Passport Office staff undertake the role of legalising locally originating documents for use abroad. This role is filled by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK and was taken on locally in 1990. The total number of documents legalised in 2007 was 10,197, an increase of 1,227 over 2006. The fee increased in 2007 from £19 to £20 per document.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Drug Seizures

During 2007 Officers in the Service were responsible for the seizure of just over £700,000 of drugs. Heroin represented approximately 53% of these seizures and MDMA 36%. The MDMA seizures increased by 133% on 2006.

Cocaine seizures remained at the same level as 2006, but there was a significant reduction in both cannabis and amphetamine sulphate seizures.

In total there were 85 separate drug seizures during 2007. Of these 13 were of a commercial nature and resulted in the cases being referred to the Royal Court.

Overall drug seizures were down on previous years. The main reasons identified for this reduction are listed below:

1. An 85% increase in boat arrivals from France and a 298% increase in on board immigration controls. Both these factors were outside the control of the Service and resulted in resources previously allocated to the Customs controls having to be diverted to Immigration controls.
2. The Service's drug operational capability was reduced to a minimum for the last four months of 2007. This followed a decision by the States of Jersey Police to undertake a criminal investigation of Officers from the Service. The investigation centred around the handling of intelligence relating to a drugs importation. The States of Jersey Police considered that they had reasonable suspicion that offences may have been committed by Officers in regard to the handling of that intelligence which required formal investigation. Although no Officers were suspended it was decided that those under investigation had to be removed from certain front line duties. The Law Officers' Department subsequently found no evidence to support proceedings against any officer for any criminal offence. A subsequent internal enquiry initiated by the Head of Service also confirmed that no procedural guidelines had been breached by the officers concerned.
3. The merging of the Customs and Immigration resources at the frontiers resulted in officers having to undertake additional training, learn new skills and perform new roles. When this occurs it is inevitable that in the short term that there is an impact on operational capability.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Value of Drugs Seized by Customs & Immigration

4 Joint Ops

Customs

3.5 1.1

3

2.5 1.2 1.7

0.1

2

1.5 2.8

1 1.8 1.8 0.05

1.5

0.5 0.65 0

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Customs and Immigration Service  

Financial Investigations

The Service has 3 officers based in the Joint Financial Crimes Unit. These officers have responsibility for all financial investigations relating to drug trafficking in Jersey. In 2007 these investigations resulted in the confiscation of £676,658.

Equipment

The Service conducted a 2 month trial of x-ray equipment which assisted in the identification of drugs concealed in the body. There were some positive results, but overall, as a result of the trial it was decided not to proceed with the purchase of the equipment as it was felt that current procedures were more reliable.

Some positive results occurred from the trial of the Ionscan Drug Trace Detector equipment. This equipment has the capability of tracing and detecting invisible traces of drugs on surfaces that would otherwise go undetected. Funding has been obtained from the Drug Trafficking Confiscation Fund for the purchase of this piece of equipment in 2008.

The current Service Law Enforcement Database is over 10 years old and is nearing the end of its working life. Again funding has been obtained from the Drug Trafficking Confiscation Fund to upgrade the system and this work will commence in early 2008.

Training

At the end of 2006 the Customs and Immigration sections at the frontiers were merged to form 3 multi-functional Customs/Immigration teams. Between February and March 2007 the frontier officers received training from specialist trainers from both Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the UK Border and Immigration Agency so as to equip them with the basic skills to carry out both functions. Day-to-day on the job experience was designed to build on this training with further ongoing specialist training in both professionalisms due to take place at the appropriate time.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Resources

The increase in shipping movements from abroad and the expectation that the Service can continue to provide Immigration controls on board vessels which is beyond what is normally expected of a basic Immigration control, has stretched resources at the frontiers. It is the view of the Head of Service that the trend in recent years to reduce the number of officers in the Customs and Immigration Service is now having an impact on the quality of the frontier control and that the control is now being compromised. This is particularly apparent from a Customs perspective where between May and October 2007 a significant number of shipping/aircraft movements were not subject to a Customs control. The 100% presence on the Immigration controls, including on board controls, was maintained as the Service has a responsibility to the rest of the Common Travel Area (CTA) for carrying out a passport control on all passengers entering the CTA for the first time. It is doubtful whether this level of control can be maintained in the future. The Service has concerns about the long term viability of on board controls not only from a resource perspective, but also in relation to the effectiveness/robustness of the controls. The Service is already engaged in discussions on this issue with the shipping companies concerned and the Guernsey Customs and Immigration Service, as Guernsey face similar difficulties to those in Jersey.

The Customs and Immigration Service fully supports the Economic Development Department/Jersey Harbours in its attempts to increase the commercial shipping/aircraft movements that service the Island. It is important, however, that the States of Jersey adopts a corporate approach to such initiatives and considers the impact that such increases in service will have on the resources of all the agencies concerned.

Trends

In last year's annual report reference was made to the expanding source areas supplying drugs to the Island, in particular the UK, Portugal, Eastern Europe. Results and intelligence indicate that this remains the case.

Intelligence

The introduction of GST has highlighted the potential for fraud. As a result Crown Agents, the consultants responsible for overseeing the introduction of the tax, have recommended that the Service should increase the size of its intelligence resource. This will increase the potential of identifying any fraud at an early stage. A lack of accommodation meant that this could not be achieved in the current premises. It was considered inefficient to split the Service intelligence capability in different buildings. As a result a decision has been made to relocate the Service Intelligence

Customs and Immigration Service  

resource within Maritime House and work to achieve this is currently ongoing. The Service should be in a position to undertake effective intelligence operations from April 2008.

HMRC Review

The Service itself investigates all offences against the Customs and Immigration Laws and prepares the necessary papers for the Law Officers. It is essential that this work is carried out to the highest standards. In June 2007 the Head of Service and the Director Law Enforcement decided to invite Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs to undertake an independent review of its investigative procedures to ensure that these high standards were being met.

In December 2007 Officers from the Criminal Justice and Enforcement Standards section of H.M. Revenue and Customs visited the Service to undertake the review. The overall conclusion of the review was that "there were no serious control weaknesses identified".

The reviewers were particularly impressed with the planning and delivery of training in the Service which was evaluated as being of an "excellent standard". A number of recommendations, however, were put forward by the reviewers which would "help to improve an already impressively run business". Work has already commenced on implementing these recommendations and will continue throughout 2008.

The review is an endorsement of the investigative capabilities of the Service and its commitment to bring the perpetrators of serious and organised crime, particularly drug trafficking, to justice.

Customs and Immigration Service  

Annual Report 2007  

Page 22 of 23  

APPENDIX– SERVICE ORGANISATION CHART

HHOOMMEE AAFFFFAAIIRRSS DDEEPPAARRTTMMEENNTT CCUUSSTTOOMMSS AANNDD IIMMMMIIGGRRAATTIIOONN SSEERRVVIICCEE FROM MARCH 2008

Head of Service  Michael Robinson

Director  Director  Director

Customs and Excise  Law Enforcement  Immigration and Nationality

David Nurse  Steven Le Marquand  John Noel

Assistant Director  Assistant Director  Assistant Director  Assistant Director Revenue and Goods Control  Investigation  Intelligence and Financial Crime  Frontiers

Gary Le Neveu  Mark Cockerham  Paul Ecobichon  Andrew Hunt

REVENUE AND GOODS  SERVICE JOINT JOINT FINANCIAL  FRONTIERS TEAMS  CASEWORK AND CONTROL SECTION INVESTIGATION UNIT INTELLIGENCE BUREAU CRIMES UNIT [including dogs team]  PASSPORT SECTION

8 Officers  8 Officers  7 Officers  Page 23 of 234  Officers  30 Officers  9.5 Officers

FINANCE / TRAINING / ADMINISTRATION  6 Officers

Customs and Immigration Service