Fraudulent Fuel Plant Shut Down

The UK's largest ever fuel laundering operation - capable of producing over 30 million litres of illicit fuel a year and costing the taxpayer an estimated £20m in lost revenue - has been dismantled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in Northern Ireland.

The diesel laundering plant was uncovered in Co Armagh yesterday morning when HMRC officers, accompanied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), searched agricultural buildings near Crossmaglen.

They seized six large fuel storage tanks, 37,000 litres of illicit fuel, 1,000 litres of acid, pumps and associated equipment. Almost 21,000 litres of toxic waste, stored in barrels and in an underground slurry pit, were also removed from the site.

John Whiting, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC said: "This is fuel fraud on an industrial scale. The sheer size of this illegal operation is staggering and far exceeds anything we have ever come across before.

"This activity would have generated massive revenue loss as well as tonnes of toxic waste - its economic and environmental impact on Northern Ireland would have been considerable.

"The location of this illegal operation would suggest that the fuel was destined for both sides of the border, resulting in losses to both the UK and Republic of Ireland exchequers.

"This operation shows the success of multi agency co-operation in tackling fuel fraud and why we will continue to work with our partners, as part of the Organised Crime Task Force, in the fight against organised crime," he said.

A man arrested in connection with the find has been released on bail pending further enquiries. Investigations are continuing.

The local MLA for Newry and Armagh, William Irwin, has congratulated HMRC and the PSNI on their success in dismantling the United Kingdom's largest ever fuel laundering plant.

"Every pound lost to the Treasury because of fuel laundering is a pound less for schools, roads, hospitals and other essential public services.

"Those engaged in the activity are unscrupulous criminals driven by nothing more than a desire to steal money regardless of the consequences of their actions: both for public services and the environment.

"I am pleased that HMRC, working in conjunction with the PSNI have been able to put this criminal enterprise out of business. I would appeal to any person in the community who has information about this activity to come forward and share it with the police," said Mr Irwin.

(BMcC/KMcA)