Illegal fuel op smashed in NI
A major illegal fuel laundering operation has been smashed by police and customs officers in Northern Ireland, it emerged today.
A plant with the capacity to launder 85,000 litres of fuel a month at an annual cost of up to £500,000 (€€747,000) to the taxpayer was shut down in a multi-law enforcement agency operation.
Police and customs officers moved in to dismantle the plant in a rural area outside Carrickmore, in Co Tyrone, last night.
The sophisticated laundering operation was discovered in a shed constructed over a number of underground storage tanks.
Laundering involves removing the red marker dye from cheap diesel sold for farming use only. It is then sold on to motorists for use in road vehicles.
Customs officers seized 8,400 litres of illicit fuel and extensive storage and filtration equipment used in the laundering process.
Two buses, two private vehicles and a coach were also removed during the operation.
A man and woman were arrested and are being questioned in connection with the operation of the plant.
A customs spokesperson said: “This was a highly sophisticated laundering operation.
“Its discovery is another significant hit on the illegal fuel trade and shows the benefit of close working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
“We have repeatedly warned motorists to think before buying cheap fuel. It puts honest filling stations out of business, robs the taxpayer of money for public services and puts the motorist’s vehicle at risk of serious engine damage.”
