Two arrested over illegal fuel plant

HM revenue & Customs (HMRC) have closed down an illegal fuel laundering plant in County Down.

The illegal operation, near Banbridge had the potential capacity to produce 115,000 litres of laundered fuel per week, with an estimated annual revenue loss of around £3.5m.

HMRC officers, assisted by the PSNI, searched farm buildings at Ballynanny Road in the Banbridge area on Friday afternoon and uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated acid fuel laundering plant.

A second smaller laundering plant was also discovered at the same location. Two vehicles, pumps, compressors, filtration and storage equipment was also seized.

HMRC Head of Detection, Northern Ireland, Maggie Eyden, said: “This HMRC and PSNI operation shows how joint working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, can stop substantial amounts of harmful diesel entering the legitimate fuel market and supports Revenue & Customs’ ongoing crackdown on the sale and use of illegal fuel across Northern Ireland.

“People need to be aware of the potential environmental damage that can be caused by the indiscriminate dumping in our countryside of the waste products from the laundering process. They need to consider what happens to the waste by-product and the damage caused by contamination to arable land, our water and rivers.

“This waste is a danger for local community and the environment, and it is difficult and expensive to dispose of safely. This is why I would urge members of the public if they know of any fuel misuse or suspicious activities, please call the HMRC confidential freephone on 0800 59 5000.”

Two men have been arrested and are being questioned in connection with the plants. In addition, over five tonnes of toxic contaminated sludge, the hazardous chemical reside of the laundering process, were cleared from the site.

(JM)