Menu
28/07/2011
Illegal Ballymena Fuel Pumps Shut Off
An illegal filling station or 'huckster' site was dismantled this week by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as part of ongoing operations to tackle fuel fraud.
HMRC, assisted by officers from the PSNI, visited the site in the Ballymena area of Co Antrim.
Nearly 10,000 litres of suspected illicit fuel, vehicles, pumps, tanks and equipment along with over £30,000 in cash were removed from the site.
Officers also seized a 40' curtain sided lorry containing two 15,000 litre fuel tanks, secured only by a series of canvas straps, as part of the operation.
Three people were arrested, a man and a woman from Co Antrim and one man from Co Armagh.
John Whiting, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: "HMRC takes very seriously the unfair and illegal practice of selling illicit fuel. It is wrong that honest businesses should be undercut by criminals.
"Those involved in the illegal fuel trade are not providing a public service; it is organised criminality, which impacts on local communities and makes it more difficult for legitimate businesses to compete.
"The fact that this 40' lorry contained two large fuel tanks secured only by a few canvas straps shows a total disregard for the safety of other road users.
"We would encourage anyone with information about this type of activity to contact us on our Custom's Hotline 0800 59 5000," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
HMRC, assisted by officers from the PSNI, visited the site in the Ballymena area of Co Antrim.
Nearly 10,000 litres of suspected illicit fuel, vehicles, pumps, tanks and equipment along with over £30,000 in cash were removed from the site.
Officers also seized a 40' curtain sided lorry containing two 15,000 litre fuel tanks, secured only by a series of canvas straps, as part of the operation.
Three people were arrested, a man and a woman from Co Antrim and one man from Co Armagh.
John Whiting, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigation, HMRC, said: "HMRC takes very seriously the unfair and illegal practice of selling illicit fuel. It is wrong that honest businesses should be undercut by criminals.
"Those involved in the illegal fuel trade are not providing a public service; it is organised criminality, which impacts on local communities and makes it more difficult for legitimate businesses to compete.
"The fact that this 40' lorry contained two large fuel tanks secured only by a few canvas straps shows a total disregard for the safety of other road users.
"We would encourage anyone with information about this type of activity to contact us on our Custom's Hotline 0800 59 5000," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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.
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.
20 September 2011
Gas Price Hike 'Fuels Winter Woes'
The gas supplier, Firmus Energy has ended its previously announced summer price freeze and is set to increase tariffs by over 35% from 1 October - fuelling fears over 'fuel poverty' among the most needy. It has around 8,500 customers in the greater Belfast area - compared to competitor, Phoenix Gas - that has more than 130,000.
Gas Price Hike 'Fuels Winter Woes'
The gas supplier, Firmus Energy has ended its previously announced summer price freeze and is set to increase tariffs by over 35% from 1 October - fuelling fears over 'fuel poverty' among the most needy. It has around 8,500 customers in the greater Belfast area - compared to competitor, Phoenix Gas - that has more than 130,000.
17 April 2024
Former Movie House Site To Be Redeveloped For Offices And Homes
The site of the former Movie House Cinema on Belfast's Dublin Road is to be redeveloped, boosting space for office workers and student population, and supporting economic activity in the city centre. The Council's Planning Committee has approved two new developments for the site.
Former Movie House Site To Be Redeveloped For Offices And Homes
The site of the former Movie House Cinema on Belfast's Dublin Road is to be redeveloped, boosting space for office workers and student population, and supporting economic activity in the city centre. The Council's Planning Committee has approved two new developments for the site.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
