An immigration officer who abused his position in attempting to sell a seized passport has been sentenced to 3 years in prison.

Folobi Babs Oluwaseum Carew, 41, known as Babs Carew, was found guilty of bribery at the same court on 23 September. This follows a covert proactive operation carried out by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).

The investigation, code-named Operation Fenestron, was initiated at very short notice by officers from the Anti-Corruption Team after receiving intelligence that Carew intended to return a passport seized by the Immigration and Nationality Department to its holder, an individual who had been arrested for breaching the conditions of his entry visa by remaining in the UK, for a fee of £1,000.

On 11 October 2007 Carew arranged to meet the passport holder at Blackheath BR station where, under surveillance, he was seen taking £500 in cash from the passport holder. Shortly afterwards he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. He was subsequently charged with corruption on 8 January.

Investigating Officer DI Nick Joyce said: “Babs Carew actively sought the bribe by approaching the passport holder and offering to return the seized passport to him for a fee.”

“I am pleased that, with the support of the Immigration Service, this investigation has stopped the activities of a corrupt official who sought to make money by abusing his position.”