Stolen tractors found in quarry swoop
A major Anglo-Irish trade in black market farm machinery was disrupted during a police operation against illegal dumping, it emerged today.
Brand new tractors were discovered hidden in specially converted containers at a quarry in Co Fermanagh.
Officers stumbled on the hideout as they searched for unlicensed dump sites north of the border.
The vehicles were worth £200,000 (€284,700).
Inspector Bob Torrens said: “This is probably the most valuable seizure of its kind ever in Northern Ireland.”
Last year plant theft in Northern Ireland was valued in excess of £1.7m (€2.4m).
Police accompanied staff from the British government’s Environment Heritage Service on Monday as they searched for rogue waste.
It was only when two lorry trailers parked at the site were opened that the plant and machinery was uncovered.
A John Deere tractor worth £70,000 (€99,600) and a pair of new Holland vehicles were seized.
All three were still wrapped in manufacturer’s plastic and ready to be transported, possibly into mainland Europe.
“The containers had been specially adapted with ramps built into the back of them so the machinery could be driven up inside,” Mr Torrens said.
“We can’t say whether they were destined for movement within Ireland or into the continent.
“This may be national or it may be international, and because of the way the containers were manufactured it appears this may have been going on in other cases not yet discovered.”
Although no arrests were made, police warned their investigations are continuing.
