Menu
25/06/2007
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)
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)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 December 2024
Public Consultation On Sustainable Medicine Use Launched
The Department of Health has initiated a public consultation on a new strategy for sustainable medicine use in Northern Ireland. The proposed strategy aims to optimise the use of medicines within the health and social care system, ensuring that they are both effective and cost-effective.
Public Consultation On Sustainable Medicine Use Launched
The Department of Health has initiated a public consultation on a new strategy for sustainable medicine use in Northern Ireland. The proposed strategy aims to optimise the use of medicines within the health and social care system, ensuring that they are both effective and cost-effective.
10 August 2007
Co Armagh Fuel Laundering Plant Is Raided
A fuel laundering plant has been raided by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) near Keady in Co Armagh. The illegal operation had the potential capacity to produce 105,000 litres of laundered fuel per week, with an estimated annual revenue loss of around £3.3m.
Co Armagh Fuel Laundering Plant Is Raided
A fuel laundering plant has been raided by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) near Keady in Co Armagh. The illegal operation had the potential capacity to produce 105,000 litres of laundered fuel per week, with an estimated annual revenue loss of around £3.3m.
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.
06 March 2015
Man Charged Over Suspected Fuel Laundering Plant In Co Armagh
A man has been charged with 24 waste and contamination offences in Co Armagh. The 52-year-old was arrested following the discovery of a suspected fuel laundering plant at Loughcross Road in Crossmaglen. The suspected plant was found during a joint operation with the police and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on Thursday morning.
Man Charged Over Suspected Fuel Laundering Plant In Co Armagh
A man has been charged with 24 waste and contamination offences in Co Armagh. The 52-year-old was arrested following the discovery of a suspected fuel laundering plant at Loughcross Road in Crossmaglen. The suspected plant was found during a joint operation with the police and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on Thursday morning.
25 July 2013
Three Arrested Over Mobile Fuel Laundering Plant
Three men have been arrested in relation to the seizure of a mobile fuel laundering plant at the docks in Belfast on Wednesday. HMRC officers, accompanied by police, carried out searches and uncovered the plant, which can produce 4.3 million litres of illicit fuel a year.
Three Arrested Over Mobile Fuel Laundering Plant
Three men have been arrested in relation to the seizure of a mobile fuel laundering plant at the docks in Belfast on Wednesday. HMRC officers, accompanied by police, carried out searches and uncovered the plant, which can produce 4.3 million litres of illicit fuel a year.
-
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.
