LARGE sums of money found during a trawl through the books of a haulage company suspected of money laundering drugs could not be accounted for, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Forensic accountant Colin Booker said when he examined the books of Wigan haulier Vic Davies, there was a mystery £700,000 which appeared from nowhere.

He was giving evidence at the trial of Wigan haulage boss Victor Davies and his employees Michael Hatton, a lorry driver, and mechanic Thomas Bradley, both from Bolton. They are accused of smuggling £1m worth of cocaine and heroin in a lorry airtank. They were arrested in Liverpool after Belgian police, in co-operation with British customs officers, followed them across several countries. The court was told that payments of £60,000 into Davies' joint account with his wife over a five-year period could not be accounted for. And other payments, such as expenditure on buying and selling of lorries, could not be properly traced because of inadequate entries in the company's books.

Davies, aged 48, of Stratton Drive, Platt Bridge, Wigan, Bradley, aged 37, of Knightswood, Deane, and Hatton, aged 38, of Thistleton Road, Deane, are jointly accused of being knowingly involved in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of goods. They deny the charge. Davies denies two further charges of attempting to launder money. Hatton denies two charges attempting to remove banknotes to assist another person to avoid prosecution.

(Proceeding)