Arrests follow Customs operation to tackle £2m fuel fraud

Four people have been arrested after Customs officers led a series of multi-agency operations across the province on Wednesday to tackle an alleged fuel fraud worth an estimated £2 million.

During the operation, Customs officers seized a fuel tanker, lifted records and detained 40,000 litres of fuel, of which 20,000 litres was recovered from an underground storage tank.

Supported by the PSNI, Customs investigators searched eight business premises and homes in Coalisland, Keady, Armagh and Lurgan in connection with what is described as a "major oils fraud".

Three men and one woman from Co Armagh have been arrested in connection with the investigation.

Customs Head of Investigation Northern Ireland Jane Salt said: "This latest operation highlights our commitment to tackle oils fraud in Northern Ireland and to stop major, organised smuggling operations.

“Customs attach a high priority to tackling excise frauds that undermine legitimate businesses and rob the honest taxpayer of funds which should go into public services.

“Money is the lifeblood of serious and organised crime, and this action has disrupted a major criminal enterprise in Northern Ireland.”

Customs estimate that the evasion of road fuel duty and legitimate cross-border shopping in Northern Ireland cost together £340 million in 2002.

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