Menu
11/07/2003
Vehicle cheats tackled in 12-day operation
A 12-day multi-agency vehicle operation has caught 104 commercial and private vehicles operating on illegal fuel across Northern Ireland.
Mobile Customs teams and specialist road fuel officers carried out the operation with the Police and the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI), during which over 660 vehicles were stopped and tested for illegal fuel.
Of the 104 vehicles seized by Customs, 59 were commercial and 45 were private. Ninety vehicles were restored on payment of fines totalling £70,000 while two of the vehicles seized had been specially adapted for the concealment of smuggled fuel.
Follow up searches uncovered 9,700 litres of smuggled fuel in a concealed underground tank at farm premises in the Moy area of Co Tyrone and 7,400 litres of contaminated fuel at an address in Seaforde, Co Down. In total 20,000 litres of illegal fuel was seized during the operation.
Commenting on the find, Northern Ireland Customs' anti-smuggling manager, John Spence, said: "This operation shows the benefit of multi-agency working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, in tackling vehicle cheats.
"Illegal fuel - whether used commercially or privately – undermines honest fillings stations, steals cash meant for hospitals and schools and damages vehicle engines.
"Enquiries are ongoing into the illegal fuel use detected. It is no longer the case that using illegal fuel is worth the risk. All companies who had commercial vehicles detected will face audit and could be liable to heavier fines in respect of previous misuse."
Mr Spence appealed for anyone with information on such activities to contact Customs on the free 24-hour hotline on 0800 59 5000.
(MB)
Mobile Customs teams and specialist road fuel officers carried out the operation with the Police and the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI), during which over 660 vehicles were stopped and tested for illegal fuel.
Of the 104 vehicles seized by Customs, 59 were commercial and 45 were private. Ninety vehicles were restored on payment of fines totalling £70,000 while two of the vehicles seized had been specially adapted for the concealment of smuggled fuel.
Follow up searches uncovered 9,700 litres of smuggled fuel in a concealed underground tank at farm premises in the Moy area of Co Tyrone and 7,400 litres of contaminated fuel at an address in Seaforde, Co Down. In total 20,000 litres of illegal fuel was seized during the operation.
Commenting on the find, Northern Ireland Customs' anti-smuggling manager, John Spence, said: "This operation shows the benefit of multi-agency working, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, in tackling vehicle cheats.
"Illegal fuel - whether used commercially or privately – undermines honest fillings stations, steals cash meant for hospitals and schools and damages vehicle engines.
"Enquiries are ongoing into the illegal fuel use detected. It is no longer the case that using illegal fuel is worth the risk. All companies who had commercial vehicles detected will face audit and could be liable to heavier fines in respect of previous misuse."
Mr Spence appealed for anyone with information on such activities to contact Customs on the free 24-hour hotline on 0800 59 5000.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
28 October 2003
Operation Journal road checks hit law breakers
Around 500 vehicles were stopped during an hour long multi-agency vehicle checkpoint (VCP) in Belfast yesterday. Under the auspices of the Organised Crime Task Force, the operation, codenamed 'Operation Journal', was set up to detect use of illegal fuel and other infringements by road users.
Operation Journal road checks hit law breakers
Around 500 vehicles were stopped during an hour long multi-agency vehicle checkpoint (VCP) in Belfast yesterday. Under the auspices of the Organised Crime Task Force, the operation, codenamed 'Operation Journal', was set up to detect use of illegal fuel and other infringements by road users.
06 February 2004
Two-day fuel operation leads to £13,000 fines
A two-day joint Customs and PSNI operation in the west of the province has led to the detection of 24 vehicles using illegal fuel and up to £13,000 worth of fines being handed out to drivers.
Two-day fuel operation leads to £13,000 fines
A two-day joint Customs and PSNI operation in the west of the province has led to the detection of 24 vehicles using illegal fuel and up to £13,000 worth of fines being handed out to drivers.
25 June 2004
Customs seize five fuel tankers in Belfast
Customs officers confirmed that five fuel tankers and over 13,000 litres of fuel were seized during a multi-agency operation in Belfast on Wednesday. Working with the police, Customs officers said that the vehicles and fuel was seized as part of an operation aimed at targeting bulk fuel transport vehicles.
Customs seize five fuel tankers in Belfast
Customs officers confirmed that five fuel tankers and over 13,000 litres of fuel were seized during a multi-agency operation in Belfast on Wednesday. Working with the police, Customs officers said that the vehicles and fuel was seized as part of an operation aimed at targeting bulk fuel transport vehicles.
10 February 2009
Border Operation Uncovers 90,000 Litres Of Illegal Fuel
A cross-border operation has resulted in the seizure of around 90,000 litres of fuel this morning. The joint operation between members of the Gardaí and the PSNI also involved the arrest of one man, and the impounding of a number of vehicles.
Border Operation Uncovers 90,000 Litres Of Illegal Fuel
A cross-border operation has resulted in the seizure of around 90,000 litres of fuel this morning. The joint operation between members of the Gardaí and the PSNI also involved the arrest of one man, and the impounding of a number of vehicles.
-
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.
