A respected transport boss who helped launder some of the profits of a £6 million illicit veterinary medicine scam - Europe's largest ever - "was in it up to his neck" a Judge has ruled.
Mark Harvey, 52,(pictured) of Hollyhurst, Wilsley Pound, Sissinghurst, Kent - boss of Paddock Wood-based Trans-Vitesse Ltd. - was bailed to be sentenced on July 6.
He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to money laundering between September 1 2006 and January 12 2008 in relation to 'Eurovet' profits - a French-based company that illegally sold animal medicines in the UK.
"He must have known it was an underhand business that was best kept as far away from the authorities as possible," announced Judge Nicholas Ainley. "He knew he was dealing with an illegitimate business enterprise and the illegitimate sale of veterinary products in the UK."
Harvey, whose freight company had a lucrative Formula One contract, ran into tax problems in 2006 and owed £41,000 VAT.
He was then introduced to 'Eurovet' boss Ronald Meddes, 73, who was a well-known local personality involved in local hunts and the horse community and agreed to get involved in the business.
Harvey became the company director of BEDRA and his wife Debbie the company secretary, but it was simply a front to funnel illegal UK profits to Meddes.
"We are talking here about millions of pounds," said Judge Ainley. "This business was turning over very substantial amounts of money indeed."
Illegal medicines were seized at Dover and Harvey's forged signature was discovered on paperwork, resulting in him being quizzed on April 3 2007 by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) at a motorway service station.
Despite this scare Harvey continued laundering criminal cash for Meddes who told him BEDRA would never file accounts and be struck-off the company register.
"There is no evidence Mr. Harvey had ever been involved in sharp practise before, but he was invited to enter in an underhand business and he knew it," ruled the Judge.
"He knew he was dealing with a crook prepared to forge his signature and use his company to transfer illicit veterinary products.
"He is in it up to his neck and permitted BEDRA to trade and launder money to the Meddes accounts."
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