Major fuel laundering plant uncovered

A major fuel laundering operation has been uncovered by Northern Ireland police and customs officers in County Armagh.

In a joint search operation of premises in Crossmaglen nearly 18,000 litres of laundered fuel were seized along with a vehicle, compressors, pumps and a quantity of storage and filtration equipment. As a result of the operation, which took place on Thursday January 10, a local man was arrested.

According to Custom Officers the plant was “highly sophisticated.” Initial estimates by Customs indicate the plant had the potential capacity to launder in excess of 150,000 litres per week, thus evading approximately £75,000 of duty a week.

A Customs spokesman said: “The success of this operation has prevented a substantial amount of harmful fuel from being sold off as legitimate diesel. The operation was capable of producing huge volumes of fuel laundered with corrosive chemicals, which have the potential to destroy a car’s engine very quickly.

“The dismantling and removal of this plant shows that Customs are serious about tackling fuel laundering, which damages not only honest businesses, but your vehicle’s engine as well. The toxic residue from plants like these is difficult and dangerous for the launderers to dispose of legally and in past cases has been illegally dumped without any concern for the public or environmental health.

“We have repeatedly warned motorists to think before buying cheap fuel. Unless you buy your fuel at a legitimate filling station you can expect mechanical problems. It’s not a matter of if, but when. The closure of the site - and the others we have dismantled recently - has protected thousands of motorists from facing large repair bills.” (AMcE)