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19/02/2002
Man jailed for his role in £6m fuel smuggling scam
A County Armagh man has been jailed for two and a half years for his part in a major fuel smuggling scam worth £6 million.
John Alexander Hunter of Brentwood Park, Richhill sold millions of litres of petrol and diesel, smuggled from the Republic of Ireland, to over 200 filling stations in Northern Ireland.
By using fraudulent invoices to evade excise duty and tax over an 11-month period (July 1997 –May 1998) he avoided charges of more than £6 million.
Hunter pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraudulent evasion and one of evading VAT at Belfast Laganside Crown Court on 29 January 2002.
Customs spokesperson Phil Rogers said: “This was a major fuel smuggling fraud. The success of this investigation shows our determination to hit every level of the supply chain and crack down on all types of fuel fraud.
“Fuel fraud undermines honest businesses and takes money away from public services. Cases like this, on top of recent major operations in Northern Ireland, show our commitment to tackling this serious criminal activity."
As part of a Government crack down on smugglers Customs have increased the number of officers tackling the smuggling and laundering of fuel in Northern Ireland from 25 to over 160.
As a result of working with the police in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, Customs in Northern Ireland have seized twice as much illicit fuel and three times as many vehicles.
Customs have also broken up 17 laundering plants involved in illegally removing the dye that identifies rebated fuels, such as red diesel, as not being for on-road use.
(AMcE)
John Alexander Hunter of Brentwood Park, Richhill sold millions of litres of petrol and diesel, smuggled from the Republic of Ireland, to over 200 filling stations in Northern Ireland.
By using fraudulent invoices to evade excise duty and tax over an 11-month period (July 1997 –May 1998) he avoided charges of more than £6 million.
Hunter pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraudulent evasion and one of evading VAT at Belfast Laganside Crown Court on 29 January 2002.
Customs spokesperson Phil Rogers said: “This was a major fuel smuggling fraud. The success of this investigation shows our determination to hit every level of the supply chain and crack down on all types of fuel fraud.
“Fuel fraud undermines honest businesses and takes money away from public services. Cases like this, on top of recent major operations in Northern Ireland, show our commitment to tackling this serious criminal activity."
As part of a Government crack down on smugglers Customs have increased the number of officers tackling the smuggling and laundering of fuel in Northern Ireland from 25 to over 160.
As a result of working with the police in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, Customs in Northern Ireland have seized twice as much illicit fuel and three times as many vehicles.
Customs have also broken up 17 laundering plants involved in illegally removing the dye that identifies rebated fuels, such as red diesel, as not being for on-road use.
(AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
