Takeaway owner fails to recover seized cash

An East Clare businessman who had over €45,000 in cash seized from him as he transited Stansted Airport on his way to Morocco has failed in his bid to recover the money.
At Chelmsford Magistrate’s Court this week, 44-year-old Lahoucine Bguiguir, who owns the Tulla takeaway An Teach Bia, had argued the money was cash earnings he had saved over six years but this was dismissed by the magistrates.
Mr Bguiguir, a Moroccan national, was stopped by UK Border Force Officers on October 8 last as he transferred through Standsted from Shannon Airport on his way to Morrocco.
Initially, he told officers that the only cash he had was in his wallet but a subsequent search of his luggage uncovered five envelopes containing €45,500 in notes.
The money was detained under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Mr Bguiguir subsequently claimed responsibility for €40,000 euros, with the remainder claimed by fellow Moroccan national Ali Souih, his business partner in the takeaway.
The matter was back before the UK courts this week where Mr Bguiguir, who attended Chelmsford Magistrate’s Court, claimed the money was cash earnings saved over six years.
Mr Souih did not attend the hearing and did not dispute the forfeiture application.
Peter Avery, from Border Force, told magistrates that the 44-year-old was attempting to remove the money from Ireland in a bid to evade tax and due to their actions both men have been forced to resubmit tax returns and disclose these additional earnings to the Irish tax authorities.
“It was clear that Mr Bguiguir was attempting to remove the money from Ireland in a bid to evade tax. If not for the vigilance of our officers at Stansted, he would have successfully transferred the cash to Morocco, leaving the Irish authorities none the wiser.
“Thanks to our actions, Mr Bguiguir and Mr Souih have been forced to resubmit tax returns and disclose these additional earning to the Irish tax authorities,” Mr Avery said.