Toxic Waste Found At Armagh Fuel Plant

Over twenty tonnes of toxic waste have been removed from a farm in County Armagh after a diesel laundering plant was discovered.

HM Revenue & Customs officers made the discovery on 7 December following a search in collaboration with the PSNI.

Officers searched a number of outbuildings at a private address in the Cullyhanna area.

A plant was found which HM Revenue & Customs says was capable of producing nearly eleven million litres of illicit diesel, thereby evading over £7m in taxes and duty a year.

The plant was dismantled.

Pat Curtis, HMRC National Oils Co-ordinator, said: "Every illegal laundering operation typically generates tonnes of toxic waste, which involves significant environmental and safety issues. As taxpayers and local ratepayers, not only are we missing out on the stolen tax going into the pockets of the criminals, we are also paying the substantial clean up and disposal costs.

"Buying illicit fuel funds crime and supports and encourages these dangerous activities within our communities. The only winners are the criminals. I would urge anyone with information on fuel misuse in their area to contact our free telephone hotline 0800 59 5000 and contribute to the fight against this criminality."

Pumps, tanks and equipment were removed from the site and investigations are continuing.

(IT)