Despite Government Enthusiasm Controversy of Freeport Regulation Remains Doubts Raised Over Potential Crime Sites in New University Study UK – Whilst both the government and the respective proponents of the eight new Freeports to be established in England by the end of the year enthusiastically support the schemes, a note of caution is advised by a new study. Opponents say the new facilities offer numerous opportunities for criminal activity and the study, published by the University of Portsmouth in the Journal of Money Laundering Control, claims to raise justifiable concerns over the misuse of Freeports. The study warns that Freeports can be abused for money-laundering and tax-evasion purposes because of a lack of transparency. It says they can help to obscure the true beneficial owners of assets through secretive corporate practices that thwart efforts by authorities to trace illicit profits and recoup government taxes.