Illegal Fuel Targeted In Border Operation

Money, vehicles and specialised 'mobile laundering plants' (similar to that pictured here following an earlier operation) have been seized in a large-scale cross-border operation targeting fuel smuggling.

A substantial amount of illegal fuel, reported by the BBC today as being in excess of 175,000 litres, was recovered in the operation.

In addition, €22,000, four of the illicit 'laundering' units and 12 other vehicles were also seized in 19 raids in counties Armagh, Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal.

Police and customs authorities from both sides of the border took part in the operation.

Officers also targeted solicitors and accountancy businesses in the Republic of Ireland as part of the joint operation.

Gardaí officers conducted Operation Jutty as part of the work of the Organised Crime Task Force.

It involved officers from local stations, the Gardaí Criminal Assets Bureau, the Gardaí Emergency Response Unit and the Irish Customs Service.

In Northern Ireland officers from Customs Service as well as officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland took part.

"The purpose of the operation was to gather evidence and to identify and seize assets held by suspected fuel smugglers," said a spokesman.

Thirteen searches were carried out in the Irish Republic alone, covering counties Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal.

The gardaí statement also confirmed that the searches took place in a range of location, including professional offices, private residences and business premises.

On foot of the anti-crime initiative, Paul Goggins, Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force, has congratulated Customs and the other members of the Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group following the joint operation which has disrupted a major fuel fraud scam.

The NIO Minister said: "I congratulate all of those involved in the operation. This is a significant success for the Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement group that I established last year. Since then the group is working closely to share intelligence and resources to combat fuel fraud.

"Cooperation and partnership between enforcement agencies on both sides of the border is good and getting better all the time.

"Fuel fraud funds wider criminality and I am determined that the full force of the law will be brought to bear on the gangsters involved in this illegal activity.

"This operation supports legal traders and the law abiding citizens who want these gangsters off their back," he concluded.

(BMcC/JM)