04/03/2004

Customs uncover fuel-laundering plant in Fermanagh

Customs officers have dismantled an illegal fuel laundering plant in Co Fermanagh in a joint operation with police.

The laundering operation, uncovered in a workshop at a rural location approximately six miles from Enniskillen, had the capacity to process approximately 25,000 litres of fuel per week.

Customs Head of Detection Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: "This Customs and PSNI operation shows how joint working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, can tackle road fuel offences and has stopped a substantial amount of harmful diesel entering the legitimate fuel market.

"Motorists need to be aware of the real costs of buying cheap diesel. It puts honest fillings stations out of business and robs public services of funding."

During the operation to target the illegal removal of the chemical markers in duty-rebated fuel, Customs removed 4,550 litres of contaminated diesel, along with pumps, compressors, filtration and storage equipment.

A significant quantity of contaminated sludge the chemical residue of the laundering process was also cleared from the site.

In a follow up operation at commercial premises in the area, Customs discovered a storage tank containing 2,500 litres of contaminated fuel, which was seized along with two articulated lorries and a trailer with concealed tanks containing green diesel.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

06 May 2004
Fuel laundering plant uncovered in Co Tyrone
An illegal fuel laundering operation has been uncovered by police and Customs officers in Co Tyrone today. The plant, concealed in farm buildings at a rural location in the Castlecaulfield area, had the capacity to process around 14,000 litres of fuel per week.
25 June 2004
Customs seize five fuel tankers in Belfast
Customs officers confirmed that five fuel tankers and over 13,000 litres of fuel were seized during a multi-agency operation in Belfast on Wednesday. Working with the police, Customs officers said that the vehicles and fuel was seized as part of an operation aimed at targeting bulk fuel transport vehicles.
20 September 2011
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.
01 May 2003
Customs raid fuel laundering plant in Co Armagh
Customs officers have dismantled another illegal fuel laundering plant in Co. Armagh. In a joint operation with PSNI the laundering operation was discovered on farm premises in the Washingbay area and had the capacity to produce around 30,000 litres of fuel per week. This would have produced an annual revenue loss of £750,000.
10 March 2003
Fuel laundering operation smashed in Co Tyrone
Following the detection of a major fuel-laundering plant in Co Armagh last week, Customs have shut down an even bigger illicit operation, this time in Co Tyrone. The illegal fuel operation was discovered in rural industrial premises three miles from Ballygawley, on the main road to Dungannon.