Alleged British Drug Baron's 100 Million Baht Money Transfer To Thailand Blocked

[sriracha john]

Gary Robb

Runaway drugs baron suspect: I want to clear my name

A suspected Teesside drugs baron Gary Robb, pictured, who fled the UK to live in exile has indicated he could return home in a bid to clear his name.

And Cleveland Police chiefs today confirmed they would welcome the move - as a warrant is still outstanding for his arrest.

A European arrest warrant and Interpol “red bulletin” is thought to have been issued on Gary Robb.

Gary Robb, 45, owned the Colosseum nightclub in Stockton which was raided by 200 police officers in riot gear and shut down in 1996. He was due to stand trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs but skipped bail and fled to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1997.

Robb has been living on the island, which has no extradition treaty with the UK, for 10 years, where he has helped build up a building empire - Aga Development Construction.

He is now claiming that if he does return to Teesside he would plead not guilty to the drugs charges. “I had been involved in nightclub door security since the age of 17 and was very aware of what drugs could do to people,” he said. “I never touched the stuff myself and would never allow it to be pushed in the clubs in the North-east I ran with my older brother, James.

“Refusing to allow a pusher into one of our clubs almost got me shot on one occasion but we never changed our policy.”

His flight to northern Cyprus was triggered by the police raid on the Colosseum, which uncovered ecstasy, amphetamines and cannabis. Recalling the night of the raid, he said: “It turned out the police had carried out an undercover operation at the Colosseum when they had been able to buy drugs, despite our policy and extensive security to stop pushers getting in.”

“When my lawyer examined the court papers it was clear I had been set up by someone who gave a statement to police claiming I was putting money up to finance drug-dealing.” Robb claims that person had since retracted the allegation and said it had been “absolutely central” to the case against him.

He said: “My lawyer, Barry Stewart, who had a house in North Cyprus, told me the day before the trial that if I stayed in the UK I wouldn’t get a fair trial. “That is when I decided to leave. I always had it in the back of my mind that I would return one day when I could prove my innocence.” Robb, a married father of three, added he wanted to complete a development in northern Cyprus and then “go back to the UK where I believe it will now be possible for me to clear my name”.

However, he is calling on the British Government to release £1.5 million which he claims was frozen when he tried to transfer the money from an account in Cyprus to one in Thailand.

Robb said the money was being moved only as a bridging loan to allow him to kick-start a development in Thailand and was to be returned to Cyprus to fund bungalow developments there.

Now he is saying he will return to Britain to face trial as soon as the Government releases his money. In 1997, Robb’s brother James was jailed for 12 years for allowing his premises in Stockton to be used for drug dealing.

Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, head of crime operations for Cleveland Police, said: “A warrant was issued by a crown court judge for the arrest of Gary Robb after he fled the court during a trial where he faced a number of charges which included conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

“That warrant is still very much active and we at Cleveland Police would seek to arrest him if he returned to the UK, and if he knowingly entered the jurisdiction of a country that has an extradition treaty with the UK we will be in a position to take action in that regard also.”

- GazetteLive (Middlesbrough,UK)

[Spiny]

Looks like he would fit it well in Pattaya

[sriracha john]

From an interview published on June 1, 2006:

Gary Robb continues to challenge the British High Commissioner

Are you really considering that there is perhaps a conspiracy to destroy you and your business activities here in North Cyprus, or perhaps what has happened to you is a series of coincidences and a catalogue of misinformation? inquired the Cyprus Observer of Gary Robb in an exclusive interview at the Nicosia office of his legal representative, UK Qualified lawyer Mert Guclu.

Displaying no hesitation or unwillingness to answer any of a robbing series of direct questions from our newspaper, Robb replied, Well it certainly looks like a conspiracy to me. I am not suggesting that there is an organized or cleverly coordinated campaign to discredit me but that is certainly what has happened as a result of the actions of certain people, not to mention biased reporting in the media which had me guilty of all sorts of misdemeanours prior to any knowledge of the facts.

Robb: I did not take AGA funds to Thailand

Responding to the matter of his fleeing to Thailand with monies paid to him by purchasers of properties on his various developments, including the Amaranta site that is far from complete, Robb replied, Thanks for giving me the chance to explain that one. As I explained to the `TRNC Governmentด which incidentally has been enormously helpful and supportive throughout this sordid affair, I went to Thailand for two reasons. Firstly, me and the family often go there for our holidays and this was to be just another vacation, but secondly, I also planned to expand my construction business activities there following the disastrous tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. I thought there was a chance to make some money, but my real motivation was to assist a country I love to get back on its feet. And yes, I did take rather a lot of money, my own personal cash I must stress, not AGA Developments funds, as has been regularly mooted by the uninformed. But you need lots OF money to set up a business on the scale I had planned, just ask Terry Leheay, CEO of Tesco that company has started to trade successfully in the Far East and they will tell you that huge financial resources are required lots of ดreadiesด.

Robb went on to explain that whilst he was away in Thailand he received a telephone call from a former colleague in North Cyprus, Glenn Cowie, who reported that during his absence he (Glenn) was becoming increasingly concerned about matters concerning AGA Developmentsด business affairs whilst it was under the stewardship of Robb's local business partners.

I decided to extend my stay to protect my family

It was at this stage of the "AGA Saga" that the media got hold of the "Gary Robb Flees with Clients' Money" story, speculation became rife and AGA property investors became increasingly concerned about the whereabouts of their money and the prospect of completion of the properties they had paid for.

When asked why, at this stage, all construction work on the various site had stopped and all plant, machinery and materials removed, Robb responded; It was not really my decision. As far as I was concerned the business was in good shape and in safe hands; this proved not to be the case and because of what was happening and all the negative press about me such as arrest warrants, drugs charges, illegal Turkish Cypriot citizenship, my passport and assets seized plus all sorts of other threats, I decided to extend my stay in Thailand to protect me and my family until everything got sorted out.

Was it then that you thought that there may be some sort of conspiracy going on; and are you by nature a conspiracy theorist on the scale of the death of Princess Diana perhaps, or the current story spreading on the web about what weapon hit the pentagon in Washington on 9/11? enquired the CYPRUS OBSERVER. I haven't any idea whether Diana was murdered or died in a tragic Paris subway accident and this media speculation about planes and rockets or some other missile attacking the US is beyond me; and no I'm not a natural inquisitor about such events, but look, if someone could give me some accurate answers, you know, facts, accurate data, the truth about certain matters, not speculation, gossip and rumour, facts then I'm sure that things will soon be cleared up.

Firstly, wonders Robb, Why do the British authorities in Thailand deny that I was seen by an Embassy official and offered advice. Secondly, why has the British High Commissioner in Cyprus said that I am wanted on drugs charges in Northumbria? It's true that I have been invited to stand up and explain why drugs were found by police during a raid on one of my licensed clubs in Stockton-on-Tees which is under the jurisdiction of Cleveland, not in Northumbria, does the High Commissioner have a map or is he up to something?.

But just a minute Gary, you do have an allegation about drugs to answer for the benefit of our readers or Aramanta Valley investors. Are you or have you ever been a "druggy" yourself, or are you or ever have been a dealer or pusher of soft or hard drugs? No, Robb replied, Certainly not, I don't even smoke cigarettes or take any form of non- prescription drugs, apart from an occasional alcoholic beverage! These allegations which refer to just one of my many licensed clubs and bars in North East England where perhaps my staff were not diligent enough to stop some of our younger generation customers from bringing recreational drugs into the music bar, but I wasnดt even there on the night in question! This brings me on to my third point if I am wanted on drugs charges in Cleveland, or Northumbria as Peter Millet mistakenly has it, why did the British High Commission in Nicosia renew my passport in January 2001 instead of arresting me and send me back to the UK under the criminal repatriation arrangements between the two countries?

Fourthly, went on Robb, Why did Interpol not realize that their Arrest Warrant for me, which led to my brief detention in Thailand, was nothing more than a predictable and unenforceable ploy by the Greek Cypriots to get their greasy little hands on AGA Developmentsด property, which they maintain is Greek owned. Thankfully, the Thai authorities saw through this petty nonsense, ignored the warrant and let me go.

Warning to his arguments, Robb then made his fifth and last point about what he referred to as lies, confusion and misinformation spread about him as, He struggles to find a solution to the unfinished building developments and customerดs investments.

People say that I am living here as a citizen and businessman, having fraudulently or corruptly attained my personal citizenship and certificates of business incorporation. More lies or distortions of the facts, said Robb. His lawyer, Mert Guclu was then able to show official documents that Robb had qualified for citizenship in North Cyprus having resided here (in Catalkoy) (Tr. Note: occupied Ayios Epiktitos) for five years. All documents regarding the legality of AGA Developments trading in North Cyprus on the table seemed to be in order.

So? enquired Robb, If you add all this up with the activities of my former business associates who blatantly took steps to take over my business and weaken my position whilst I was out of the country, itดs not difficult to conclude that there may be some sort of conspiracy going on. I hope that it can all be sorted out quickly, sooner I hope than the French authorities are taking to tell us how and why Princess Diana died! (CYPRUS OBSERVER is unable to report on matters between Robb and his former associates in AGA Developments, as court action is pending and is subject to the rule of sub-judice).

When asked about the future and the plans for completing and handing over the homes the AGA Developmentsด investors and customers have paid for, Well responded Robb, With the help of my Mum Mavis and Glenn here, I am now legally back in North Cyprus, Iดm fit and well and raring to go and with the encouragement of the `Prime Ministerด, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, and his `Governmentด we are taking positive steps to speedily complete the various development projects to everybodyดs complete satisfaction, so we can move on to other things.

Before concluding the interview with Robb, he explained that sufficient financial resources, labour, plant and materials are available and being assembled to start the completion of projects within a matter of days. As some of our customers will testify, a few minor jobs have already started and the rest will follow soon; and please assure your readers, asked Robb, That my personal assets, which are open to scrutiny, are more than enough to finish all the projects and please assure them that I am committed to North Cyprus, my wife AGA, who is a Turkish Cypriot, will be joining me here again soon so that we can settle the kids in school and get on living as normal a life as is possible.

- Cyprus Observer

[howtoescape]

I am surprised that the British govt have juristiction to seize money that is in Thailand, can they?

Many a tax dodger or crook will have to be more careful if they can.

[sriracha john]

Excerpt published on May 5, 2006

Reactions on Garry Robb's issue continue

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled Prime Minister of the “TRNC” (the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus):

The Prime Minister said that Mr Robb was detained in Thailand just a day before his return to the Republic after an arrest warrant was issued by Interpol in line with a request from the Greek Cypriot Government.

He added that Mr Robb was released by the Thai authorities after they were briefed by the British Government”.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper published statements by Mr Robb who argued that he returned to the occupied areas of Cyprus in order to finish the constructions he had began. Commenting on the information that he swindled 1.5 million sterling pounds and ran away to Thailand, Mr Robb described these accusations as "comic allegations" and added that when the self-styled government estimated the property owned by him and his company in the occupied areas of Cyprus, it found out that it was about 65 million sterling pounds. "Would it not be a stupidity to leave such a property and money and run away with 1.5 million sterling pounds," he wondered.

Asked whether or not he will have enough money to finish the buildings his company had been constructing, Mr Robb said that in his bank accounts which had been frozen, he has more than enough money to do this.

- Turkish Press

[sriracha john]

I am surprised that the British govt have juristiction to seize money that is in Thailand, can they?

Many a tax dodger or crook will have to be more careful if they can.

The money was in Cyprus. He was intending to transfer it to Thailand.

[sriracha john]

Various forum discussions, blogs, etc. on Mr. Robb and Thailand:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls...y+robb+thailand

[taxexile]

some interesting discussions there.

lots of similarities with samui.

ex-northern bouncer runs to the island of cyprus to avoid a drugs arrest , allegedly steals money from other expats via bogus property schemes that the local land department , politicians and lawyers there are unable to sort out , brings millions into thailand and starts property empire here.

brit yoboid trash of the highest calibre living it large in thailand on other peoples money , but back in cyprus.

[howtoescape]

I am surprised that the British govt have juristiction to seize money that is in Thailand, can they?

Many a tax dodger or crook will have to be more careful if they can.

The money was in Cyprus. He was intending to transfer it to Thailand.

Late here things arent sinking in as they should North Cyprus isnt in th EU though, only Turkey would have the right to have a say i would have thought.

[JacknDanny]

I am surprised that the British govt have juristiction to seize money that is in Thailand, can they?

Many a tax dodger or crook will have to be more careful if they can.

The money was in Cyprus. He was intending to transfer it to Thailand.

My nderstandig is that the British Govt cannot touch the money in Cyprus, however once the money leaves the account then they can do something.

Therefore the money would have been 'frozen' enroute to the Thai bank. Whilst in the clearing bank for example.

[Heng]

Great, one less condo project that might have blocked my view.

[tw25rw]

Doesn't really matter where it is. Banks tend to cooperate when it comes to law enforcement agencies/money laundering etc. They have to if they want to stay in business.

[NanLaew]

Looks like he would fit it well in Pattaya

With only £1.5 million?

Nah mate, he's a fookn lightweight.

[rimbung]

I am surprised that the British govt have juristiction to seize money that is in Thailand, can they?

Many a tax dodger or crook will have to be more careful if they can.

Yes they can.

What is more although assets are seized in Thailand they are not re patriated and instead become the property of the Thai police/state.

Not rocket science to work out that these funds are booty or spoils to be divided up between the lucky government officials here in Thailand.

read this: She thought they could not nab here here

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Bro...ofit.3658228.jp

Madam made £1.2m profit from prostitutes

A brothel madam and people trafficker made almost £1.2 million from two massage parlours in Northampton where Thai prostitutes were kept in semi-slavery, a court heard.

Angela Miller, aged 51, faces having all of her money, savings and properties in Thailand being confiscated and up to 10 more years in prison under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

She was convicted of controlling prostitutes and their earnings in September 2000 but jumped bail and fled to Thailand before she could be sentenced.

Having been on the run for six years, she was extradited back to the UK in October 2006 to start more than four years imprisonment imposed in her absence.

She appeared at Northampton Crown Court yesterday for a confiscation hearing, almost a decade since her arrest for running two brothels passing as massage parlours in Northampton.

Police raided the brothels in Kingsley Park Terrace, run by Miller and her ex-husband Ron, revealing that 18 Thai women had been trafficked into the UK for prostitution.

The people smuggling racket involved Thai women being brought to the UK by Miller, her ex-husband or agents at £10,000 a time in an operation reaching the UK, France, Australia and Canada.

Giving evidence, Miller admitted making the Thai women pay her £10,000 to travel to the UK but denied she was as rich as the prosecution alleges.

She is accused of forcing each girl to pay £10,000 every three months.

Miller told Judge Richard Bray that the women had to repay the costs of illegal entry into the UK, would have to buy their own condoms, food and water but were left £10 to £15 a day "for sweets".

She is said to have hidden away up to £700,000 cash which she had taken from the prostitutes as well as amassinga number of property investments in her homeland.

Det Con Paul Beck, who led the original investigation and brought Miller back from Thailand, said investigations with the Royal Thai Police revealed Miller's extensive assets and savings.

As well as owning a house in Cavendish Drive in Northampton, Miller also owned a penthouse in the beach resort of Pattaya, four plots of land and four shops in Kanchanaburi, savings in two bank accounts as well as the Far East Rock bar in Pattaya which was also run as a brothel.

The prosecution are seeking to prove she made £1.2 million from prostitution, with £434,000 in traceable assets and another £700,000 which she denies hiding away from investigators.

Miller claims to have no money and has previously blamed her ex-husband Ron for taking all of the money they made through the Siam Sauna and Thai House brothels

Northampton sex slave trader: timeline of events

How the story of Angela Miller has unfolded since 1998.

November 26, 1998

Up to 50 police and immigration officers raid the Siam Sauna and The Thai House massage parlours in Kingsley Park Terrace, Northampton.

Twelve Thai women are arrested along with three men. Having divorced the previous year, Ron and Angela Miller were each running a brothel with "a rolling supply of Thai girls".

September 1999

Angela Miller is fined £9,000 for running a brothel in Leicester. Her son Don, who worked as a receptionist, is fined £1,000 after he admitted living off prostitution.

The Leicester parlour was run as an extension to the two brothels in Northampton.

September 15, 2000

Angela Miller pleads guilty to two charges of controlling prostitutes. Granted bail pending sentence, she flees the country and returns to her native Thailand.

She leaves behind a five-minute tape explaining her reasons.

Judge Bray sentences her to three-and-a-half years in her absence.

Further raids on The Thai House find five more Thai women.

September 18, 2000

Ron Miller, aged 72, is jailed for four years while Mrs Miller's new partner, Myles Lant, is jailed for two years.

Ron Miller's daughter Sharon Haisman receives 180 hours community service while Don Miller, aged 30, is sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work.

January 2001

Dc Paul Beck and Dc Allan Blyth travel to Thailand in order to seek assistance from the Royal Thai Police in tracking the mother-of-two down, as well as looking into the numerous bank accounts and properties she has amassed.

They include £92,000 in the Siam City Bank, a penthouse apartment and bar/brothel in the beach resort of Pattya.

June 2001

Sharon Haisman, aged 46, is ordered to pay back £35,000; Myles Leant has £14,000 confiscated; and Don Miller is ordered to pay £300 for confiscation.

January 2002

Ron MIller is told he must hand over £70,000, confiscated from the profits he made from the sex trade.

June 2006

Angela Miller is arrested in Thailand and held in prison for five months awaiting extradition.

October 2006

She returns to the UK, accompanied by Dc Beck, after agreeing not to fight extradition.

November 2006

Sentenced to a further nine months in prison for what Judge Bray described as "the most blatant contempt of court" by skipping bail and being on the run for almost six years.

January 2008

Having failed to declare any of her financial assets, she is ordered to pay £422,000, confiscation from the £1.2 million she is believed to have made from sex slavery.

[sriracha john]

the property owned by him and his company in the occupied areas of Cyprus, it found out that it was about 65 million sterling pounds.

Looks like he would fit it well in Pattaya

With only £1.5 million?

Nah mate, he's a fookn lightweight.

How about with 4,187,065,315.25 Thai Baht?? Does that raise his weight-class any?

[sriracha john]

I am surprised that the British govt have juristiction to seize money that is in Thailand, can they?

Many a tax dodger or crook will have to be more careful if they can.

Yes they can.

What is more although assets are seized in Thailand they are not re patriated and instead become the property of the Thai police/state.

Not rocket science to work out that these funds are booty or spoils to be divided up between the lucky government officials here in Thailand.

read this: She thought they could not nab here here

Madam made £1.2m profit from prostitutes

Or, read the thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=163210&hl=

British Brothel Madam Extradited From Thailand After Jumping Bail, 78.1 Million Baht profit from trafficking in Thais

[tijnebijn]

What is he hiding under that shirt ?

[rimbung]

I am surprised that the British govt have juristiction to seize money that is in Thailand, can they?

Many a tax dodger or crook will have to be more careful if they can.

Yes they can.

What is more although assets are seized in Thailand they are not re patriated and instead become the property of the Thai police/state.

Not rocket science to work out that these funds are booty or spoils to be divided up between the lucky government officials here in Thailand.

read this: She thought they could not nab here here

Madam made £1.2m profit from prostitutes

Or, read the thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=163210&hl=

British Brothel Madam Extradited From Thailand After Jumping Bail, 78.1 Million Baht profit from trafficking in Thais

Sorry, I should have looked for that Same source though. She is locked up in Peterborough womens prison (or to be accurate a prison near Peterborough) at the moment and I guess still believing the loot will be waiting when she get's home. I doubt it.

To get back to the thread, this is not the stupid little sleepy country it was just a few years ago. The internet has made life difficult for the crooks.

Panama is the current place for the hot dodgy money.

[Chloe82]

Looks like he would fit it well in Pattaya

With only £1.5 million?

Nah mate, he's a fookn lightweight.

He's worth about 65 million pounds, not 1.5 million.

[howtoescape]

And here is why he is in North Cyprus, i never new it was the Costa del sol of the 21st century, Thailand hasnt got that little safety net to catch the villians who have served their time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/keny...nts/2645783.stm

[kiakaha]

Looks like he would fit it well in Pattaya

He certainly appears to have the right physique

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

British fugitive was mistakenly given UK passport

A British fugitive living in Northern Cyprus was able to remain on the run after the high commission there mistakenly issued him with a replacement passport.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office admitted yesterday that it had given a 10-year passport to Gary Robb, a former nightclub owner from Stockton-on-Tees, even though he had fled the UK in 1997 to avoid a drugs trial and was the subject of an arrest warrant.

Robb settled in Northern Cyprus after 200 police in riot gear raided his Colosseum nightclub in Stockton. Northern Cyprus does not have an extradition treaty with the UK and Robb successfully applied for a new passport in 2001, allowing him to remain in the country.

"I can confirm that a passport was issued to Robb in 2001 and yes he was the subject of an arrest warrant," a spokesman for the FCO said. "It was an error and procedures have been put in place to make sure this does not happen again."

"I must say I was a bit nervous when I went to apply for it," Robb said. "But my old passport was about to expire and it was the only way of renewing my residence permit here. I've travelled everywhere on that passport: Thailand, Singapore, Florence, France, Cambodia, Istanbul. In fact, anywhere you can think of, except the UK. If I was such a bad man, why would they issue me with one?"

The authorities in Northern Cyprus are understood to have taken Robb's passport away, but he declined the offer of emergency documents to get him back to the UK. "We understand that authorities have confiscated the 2001 passport," the FCO spokesman said. "He applied for a new passport in 2007 and was told that he could not be issued with one since he was subject to an arrest warrant."

Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, head of crime operations for Cleveland police, which conducted the raid on Robb's nightclub, said it was "a good question" why Robb had been allowed the passport.

"Normally in a case like this, where there's a European arrest warrant, there are alerts," he said. "As far as we are concerned Gary Robb is unfinished business. There is an arrest warrant out for him and it remains very active.

"With proceedings still outstanding, we would seek to arrest him immediately, if he returned either voluntarily or entered a jurisdiction that had an extradition treaty with the UK."

A British court recently froze £1.5m of Robb's assets on the ground that he was suspected of money laundering.

Four years ago, unknown assailants sprayed Robb's luxury villa with bullets and raked his car with machine gunfire, an attack he only narrowly survived.

- The Guardian / April 14 2008

[Buchholz]

Former North East nightclub owner Gary Robb loses jail term appeal

FORMER nightclub owner and drug dealer Gary Robb has failed in his bid to have his 10-month Cypriot jail term cut.

The crook, who fled the UK to set up a lucrative illegal property empire in Cyprus, was jailed by the holiday island’s courts last year.

He claimed the sentence was too harsh but now has been told by a judge that, if anything, it was too soft.

Read More

http://www.chronicle.../#ixzz1tiGnYGiW

ChronicleLive - May 2, 2012

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