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25/06/2004
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.
Customs Head of Detection Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: “This is part of our ongoing activity to detect not only the smuggling and laundering of illegal fuel, but also the onward transport, sale and use across Northern Ireland.
“Illegal fuel - whether used commercially or privately - undermines honest businesses and robs the honest taxpayer of funds which should go into public services. Companies willing to use illegal fuel have an unfair advantage and are therefore making it more difficult for legitimate companies to compete.
“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 have commercial vehicles detected will face audit and could be liable to heavier fines in respect of previous misuse.”
Following the detection of two fuel tankers running on illegal fuel during a series of roadside checks, three more tankers were seized in a follow up operation at a commercial site in Belfast.
Subsequent tests on fuel in a storage tank at the site resulted in the seizure of 13,300 litres of contaminated fuel.
Customs said that the five fuel tankers were subequently released on payment of £5,000, but the company concerned will face a detailed audit to establish the extent of the misuse.
Customs estimate that the evasion of road fuel duty and legitimate cross-border shopping in Northern Ireland cost £340 million in 2002.
Since Customs put in place a strategy to counter evasion of road fuel duty, deliveries of legitimate fuel have risen by 7% for two successive years.
(SP)
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.
Customs Head of Detection Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: “This is part of our ongoing activity to detect not only the smuggling and laundering of illegal fuel, but also the onward transport, sale and use across Northern Ireland.
“Illegal fuel - whether used commercially or privately - undermines honest businesses and robs the honest taxpayer of funds which should go into public services. Companies willing to use illegal fuel have an unfair advantage and are therefore making it more difficult for legitimate companies to compete.
“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 have commercial vehicles detected will face audit and could be liable to heavier fines in respect of previous misuse.”
Following the detection of two fuel tankers running on illegal fuel during a series of roadside checks, three more tankers were seized in a follow up operation at a commercial site in Belfast.
Subsequent tests on fuel in a storage tank at the site resulted in the seizure of 13,300 litres of contaminated fuel.
Customs said that the five fuel tankers were subequently released on payment of £5,000, but the company concerned will face a detailed audit to establish the extent of the misuse.
Customs estimate that the evasion of road fuel duty and legitimate cross-border shopping in Northern Ireland cost £340 million in 2002.
Since Customs put in place a strategy to counter evasion of road fuel duty, deliveries of legitimate fuel have risen by 7% for two successive years.
(SP)
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06 February 2004
Two-day fuel operation leads to £13,000 fines
A two-day joint Customs and PSNI operation in the west of the province has led to the detection of 24 vehicles using illegal fuel and up to £13,000 worth of fines being handed out to drivers.
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A two-day joint Customs and PSNI operation in the west of the province has led to the detection of 24 vehicles using illegal fuel and up to £13,000 worth of fines being handed out to drivers.
19 October 2004
£10,000 fines handed out in illegal fuel operation
Penalties totalling £10,000 have been issued after 20 vehicles were detected using illegal fuel in counties Tyrone and Armagh last week. Customs multi-functional and specialist road fuel officers, along with the police, carried out the operation last Friday during which commercial and private vehicles were tested for the use of illegal fuel.
£10,000 fines handed out in illegal fuel operation
Penalties totalling £10,000 have been issued after 20 vehicles were detected using illegal fuel in counties Tyrone and Armagh last week. Customs multi-functional and specialist road fuel officers, along with the police, carried out the operation last Friday during which commercial and private vehicles were tested for the use of illegal fuel.
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.
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
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.
11 May 2005
Customs target illegal fuel sales
An HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) operation in Northern Ireland has led to the seizure of over 222,000 litres of fuel worth more than £200,000, and four vehicles used to illegally transport fuel.
Customs target illegal fuel sales
An HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) operation in Northern Ireland has led to the seizure of over 222,000 litres of fuel worth more than £200,000, and four vehicles used to illegally transport fuel.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
