A BURY business was raided by police and Customs and Excise officers as part of investigations into a multi-million pound mobile phone fraud.

The Bury swoop was one of 21 raids carried out throughout the UK under the codename Operation Degree.

Customs have declined to pinpoint the address in Bury.

A total of 15 men were arrested as officers investigating the alleged scam also raided premises in Stoke, Birmingham, Leicester, London and North Wales.

Of the 15 arrested, ten were from the Stoke area. It is understood no one from Bury was detained.

The alleged fraud involved businesses importing mobile phones from EC countries at a nil rate of tax, selling them and charging VAT and then not paying tax to Customs and Excise. The companies involved often "disappeared" when they had to pay the tax due, leaving debts running into millions of pounds.

Individuals and companies based in Stoke are suspected to be at the centre of the fraud.

All the people arrested have been interviewed by Customs officers and released on police bail to appear again for interview in April. Inquiries are continuing.