19/05/2014

Second Illegal Fuel Plant Discovered In Jonesborough

Customs officials have dismantled a second illegal fuel plant in Jonesborough, south Armagh, after another laundering plant was found the previous Friday inside an agricultural shed.

The illegal diesel plant was discovered in an isolated farm building on Friday by HMRC officers. It was capable of producing over 22m litres of illicit fuel per year, evading almost £14m in revenue., according to the PSNI.

Officers seized around twenty-six tonnes of toxic waste and 700 litres of illicit fuel, as well as a number of vehicles, pumps and equipment.

Four men were arrested in connection with the illegal activity and have been released on bail.

Pat Curtis of the HMRC said: "Every illegal laundering operation typically generates tonnes of toxic waste, involving significant safety and environmental issues. As taxpayers and local ratepayers, not only are we missing out on the stolen tax that ends up the pockets of the criminals, we are also paying the substantial clean-up and disposal costs."

(CVS/CD)

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