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28/07/2011
Illegal Ballymena Fuel Pumps Shut Off
An illegal filling station or 'huckster' site was dismantled this week by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as part of ongoing operations to tackle fuel fraud.
HMRC, assisted by officers from the PSNI, visited the site in the Ballymena area of Co Antrim.
Nearly 10,000 litres of suspected illicit fuel, vehicles, pumps, tanks and equipment along with over £30,000 in cash were removed from the site.
Officers also seized a 40' curtain sided lorry containing two 15,000 litre fuel tanks, secured only by a series of canvas straps, as part of the operation.
Three people were arrested, a man and a woman from Co Antrim and one man from Co Armagh.
John Whiting, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: "HMRC takes very seriously the unfair and illegal practice of selling illicit fuel. It is wrong that honest businesses should be undercut by criminals.
"Those involved in the illegal fuel trade are not providing a public service; it is organised criminality, which impacts on local communities and makes it more difficult for legitimate businesses to compete.
"The fact that this 40' lorry contained two large fuel tanks secured only by a few canvas straps shows a total disregard for the safety of other road users.
"We would encourage anyone with information about this type of activity to contact us on our Custom's Hotline 0800 59 5000," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
HMRC, assisted by officers from the PSNI, visited the site in the Ballymena area of Co Antrim.
Nearly 10,000 litres of suspected illicit fuel, vehicles, pumps, tanks and equipment along with over £30,000 in cash were removed from the site.
Officers also seized a 40' curtain sided lorry containing two 15,000 litre fuel tanks, secured only by a series of canvas straps, as part of the operation.
Three people were arrested, a man and a woman from Co Antrim and one man from Co Armagh.
John Whiting, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: "HMRC takes very seriously the unfair and illegal practice of selling illicit fuel. It is wrong that honest businesses should be undercut by criminals.
"Those involved in the illegal fuel trade are not providing a public service; it is organised criminality, which impacts on local communities and makes it more difficult for legitimate businesses to compete.
"The fact that this 40' lorry contained two large fuel tanks secured only by a few canvas straps shows a total disregard for the safety of other road users.
"We would encourage anyone with information about this type of activity to contact us on our Custom's Hotline 0800 59 5000," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
