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29/08/2003
Illegal fuel seized in Down and Antrim
Customs officers have seized 11 commercial vehicles and nearly 20,000 litres of illegal fuel in Counties Down and Antrim.
The Customs operation involving specialist road fuel officers followed the discovery of three commercial vehicles using contaminated fuel during roadside checks on Tuesday.
Follow-up searches on Tuesday and Wednesday uncovered 16,000 litres of contaminated diesel at the premises of a skip hire company in the North Down area and a further eight vehicles using illegal fuel were seized. As searches continued, a further 3,400 litres of smuggled diesel were seized from commercial premises in the Ballymena area.
Customs’ Head of Anti-smuggling Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: “This Customs/PSNI operation shows the benefit of multi-agency working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, in tackling fuel cheats who create an unfair market where legitimate businesses find it increasingly difficult to compete.
“Illegal fuel - whether used commercially or privately - undermines honest fillings stations, steals cash meant for hospitals and schools and damages vehicle engines.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the illegal fuel use detected. It is no longer the case that using illegal fuel is worth the risk. All companies who had commercial vehicles detected will face audit and could be liable to heavier fines in respect of previous misuse."
Anyone with information on such activity is asked to call Customs on 0800 59 5000.
(MB)
The Customs operation involving specialist road fuel officers followed the discovery of three commercial vehicles using contaminated fuel during roadside checks on Tuesday.
Follow-up searches on Tuesday and Wednesday uncovered 16,000 litres of contaminated diesel at the premises of a skip hire company in the North Down area and a further eight vehicles using illegal fuel were seized. As searches continued, a further 3,400 litres of smuggled diesel were seized from commercial premises in the Ballymena area.
Customs’ Head of Anti-smuggling Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: “This Customs/PSNI operation shows the benefit of multi-agency working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, in tackling fuel cheats who create an unfair market where legitimate businesses find it increasingly difficult to compete.
“Illegal fuel - whether used commercially or privately - undermines honest fillings stations, steals cash meant for hospitals and schools and damages vehicle engines.
“Enquiries are ongoing into the illegal fuel use detected. It is no longer the case that using illegal fuel is worth the risk. All companies who had commercial vehicles detected will face audit and could be liable to heavier fines in respect of previous misuse."
Anyone with information on such activity is asked to call Customs on 0800 59 5000.
(MB)
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Gas Price Hike 'Fuels Winter Woes'
The gas supplier, Firmus Energy has ended its previously announced summer price freeze and is set to increase tariffs by over 35% from 1 October - fuelling fears over 'fuel poverty' among the most needy. It has around 8,500 customers in the greater Belfast area - compared to competitor, Phoenix Gas - that has more than 130,000.
Gas Price Hike 'Fuels Winter Woes'
The gas supplier, Firmus Energy has ended its previously announced summer price freeze and is set to increase tariffs by over 35% from 1 October - fuelling fears over 'fuel poverty' among the most needy. It has around 8,500 customers in the greater Belfast area - compared to competitor, Phoenix Gas - that has more than 130,000.
13 June 2002
Crackdown on illegal fuel trade continues
A major fuel laundering plant, three filling stations and over 100 vehicles have been snared in a weeklong blitz by Customs on illegal fuel trading. The laundering plant, which was discovered in farm buildings on the outskirts of Cookstown, County Tyrone had the capacity to launder over 100,000 litres of diesel per week.
Crackdown on illegal fuel trade continues
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25 June 2004
Customs seize five fuel tankers in Belfast
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Customs seize five fuel tankers in Belfast
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27 June 2007
Illegal use of fuel in Tyrone and Derry
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers yesterday seized 12 vehicles in Counties Tyrone and Londonderry. They were seized in Strabane, Limavady and Derry by HMRC Officers testing for the illegal use of fuel in all types of commercial and private vehicles.
Illegal use of fuel in Tyrone and Derry
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers yesterday seized 12 vehicles in Counties Tyrone and Londonderry. They were seized in Strabane, Limavady and Derry by HMRC Officers testing for the illegal use of fuel in all types of commercial and private vehicles.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
