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		MEP welcomes EU action on Customs seizures Friday, 20 September 2002 East Midlands Euro-MP Roger Helmer today welcomed the announcement from EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein that he is threatening court action against the British government over aggressive customs seizures at Dover and other British ports. Local MEP Roger Helmer has received a number of complaints from coach tour operators, and from constituents who have had their purchases and their vehicles seized and auctioned off by HM customs. In some cases, the victims only discovered that their cars had been sold on when the new owners phoned to ask for the logbook. Roger Helmer has argued that the draconian action by Customs, at the behest of the Treasury, is in breach of the European Single Market regulations. The penalties are imposed by Customs without due process, and are wholly disproportionate. A recent court ruling declared that random searches by Customs, without grounds for suspicion, were illegal, yet the Customs are continuing to implement this illegal practice. Commenting this week in Brussels, Helmer said: " I have been horrified by the arrogance of the Customs' stone-walling tactics in response to complaints, and their apparent contempt for court rulings. But the ultimate blame lies with the Treasury and the government, who imposed this policy. I hate to see the EU interfacing in British affairs, but this time Gordon Brown has only himself to blame".