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09/12/2004
Customs raid illegal fuel operations in Co Armagh
Customs officers seized in excess of 65,000 litres of fuel from commercial premises in Co Armagh yesterday.
During the operation, which was assisted by the PSNI, Customs officers seized 66,200 litres of green diesel, derv and petrol from storage tanks and a fuel tanker containing green diesel and kerosene.
Commenting on the success, Customs Head of Detection Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: “These Customs and PSNI operations show how joint working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, has stopped a substantial amount of illegal fuel from entering the legitimate fuel market and affecting honest businesses.
In a separate operation last week Customs officers dismantled one of the largest fuel laundering plants ever discovered in Northern Ireland.
The illegal laundering operation was uncovered on Wednesday 1 December, in farm buildings at a rural location in the Jerrettspass area outside Newry. It had the capacity to process approximately 175,000 litres of diesel per week, meaning an annual revenue loss of over £5 million.
“This is one of the largest laundering plants Customs has uncovered in Northern Ireland, capable of laundering over 9 million litres of fuel per year. This would mean a potential duty loss of £5 million – money that could be better spent on public services,” Mr McAllister added.
No arrests have been made in relation to either operation and enquiries are continuing.
(MB/SP)
During the operation, which was assisted by the PSNI, Customs officers seized 66,200 litres of green diesel, derv and petrol from storage tanks and a fuel tanker containing green diesel and kerosene.
Commenting on the success, Customs Head of Detection Northern Ireland Colin McAllister said: “These Customs and PSNI operations show how joint working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, has stopped a substantial amount of illegal fuel from entering the legitimate fuel market and affecting honest businesses.
In a separate operation last week Customs officers dismantled one of the largest fuel laundering plants ever discovered in Northern Ireland.
The illegal laundering operation was uncovered on Wednesday 1 December, in farm buildings at a rural location in the Jerrettspass area outside Newry. It had the capacity to process approximately 175,000 litres of diesel per week, meaning an annual revenue loss of over £5 million.
“This is one of the largest laundering plants Customs has uncovered in Northern Ireland, capable of laundering over 9 million litres of fuel per year. This would mean a potential duty loss of £5 million – money that could be better spent on public services,” Mr McAllister added.
No arrests have been made in relation to either operation and enquiries are continuing.
(MB/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be largely dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells through the day. Perhaps the odd shower in the north. Strong southwesterly winds, easing later. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying dry with clear spells through this evening. Clouding over later in the night with rain arriving from the southwest during the early hours. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
