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01/02/2012
Fuel Laundering Plant Discovered
Three fuel laundering plants discovered last week has demonstrated the risks fuel fraud presents to the public.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers investigated a building destroyed by fire, unsafe fuel tanks transported on roads and half a tonne of dangerous waste indiscriminately dumped. The three laundering plants were discovered in counties Armagh, Fermanagh and Tyrone.
On Wednesday (25 January) HMRC officers attended the scene of a fire at premises in the Benburb area of Co Tyrone. A shed, believed to have contained a laundering plant, located close to a private dwelling was completely destroyed in the fire.
On Tuesday (24 January), HMRC, working with local Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers dismantled a mobile laundering plant that had been abandoned on the roadside in the Crossmaglen area of south Armagh. An acid laundering plant, it consisted of two large fuel tanks hidden in a 40” trailer, secured only by a rope.
On Saturday (21 January) HMRC accompanied by officers from the PSNI searched an industrial unit in Fivemiletown. Officers removed over half a tonne of toxic waste, the by-product of the laundering process. Five vehicles, 4,000 litres of laundered fuel and a quantity of bleaching earth were also seized during the operation.
Graeme Anderson, Assistant Director Specialist Investigations, HMRC said: "Before buying cheap fuel motorists need to consider the real costs of laundered fuel. Safety features for handling any type of fuel are there for good reasons.
"Buying illicit fuel not only funds organised crime but supports and encourages these dangerous activities within our communities. The only winners are the criminals, profiting at the expense of honest businesses and costing us all, as taxpayers, millions of pounds every year. I would urge anyone with information to contact our free telephone hotline 0800 59 5000 and let us know of any suspicious activities or fuel misuse in their area."
Investigations into the three laundering plants are ongoing.
(GK)
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers investigated a building destroyed by fire, unsafe fuel tanks transported on roads and half a tonne of dangerous waste indiscriminately dumped. The three laundering plants were discovered in counties Armagh, Fermanagh and Tyrone.
On Wednesday (25 January) HMRC officers attended the scene of a fire at premises in the Benburb area of Co Tyrone. A shed, believed to have contained a laundering plant, located close to a private dwelling was completely destroyed in the fire.
On Tuesday (24 January), HMRC, working with local Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers dismantled a mobile laundering plant that had been abandoned on the roadside in the Crossmaglen area of south Armagh. An acid laundering plant, it consisted of two large fuel tanks hidden in a 40” trailer, secured only by a rope.
On Saturday (21 January) HMRC accompanied by officers from the PSNI searched an industrial unit in Fivemiletown. Officers removed over half a tonne of toxic waste, the by-product of the laundering process. Five vehicles, 4,000 litres of laundered fuel and a quantity of bleaching earth were also seized during the operation.
Graeme Anderson, Assistant Director Specialist Investigations, HMRC said: "Before buying cheap fuel motorists need to consider the real costs of laundered fuel. Safety features for handling any type of fuel are there for good reasons.
"Buying illicit fuel not only funds organised crime but supports and encourages these dangerous activities within our communities. The only winners are the criminals, profiting at the expense of honest businesses and costing us all, as taxpayers, millions of pounds every year. I would urge anyone with information to contact our free telephone hotline 0800 59 5000 and let us know of any suspicious activities or fuel misuse in their area."
Investigations into the three laundering plants are ongoing.
(GK)
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10 August 2007
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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.
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.
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.
24 November 2004
Mobile fuel laundering plant seized in south Armagh
A mobile fuel laundering plant has been seized during a joint police and customs operation in south Armagh on Tuesday.
Mobile fuel laundering plant seized in south Armagh
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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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
