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18/04/2007
Illegal gas plant posed "very real danger"
An illegal gas bottling facility could have wreaked havoc on the small village of Cullaville, Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) and Security Minister Paul Goggins MP has said.
During a visit to Portadown PSNI station to view the seized bulk gas containers, the Minister praised those involved in the process to dismantle the illegal operation.
He said: “Those operating this illegal gas bottling plant were only interested in making money and showed a blatant disregard for the safety of the community. This illegal facility was a disaster waiting to happen. It could have resulted in a major explosion in the middle of Cullaville, and posed a very real danger to public health and safety.
“The dismantling of this illegal plant underlines the effectiveness of a partnership approach to tackling organised crime. In this operation the PSNI were supported by HMRC, the Fire Service and the Health and Safety Executive in removing this threat from the people of Cullaville.”
The seizure on March 12 was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. The PSNI seized over 3,500 illegally filled gas cylinders and bulk storage tanks containing approximately 24 tonnes of Liquid Petroleum Gas.
(JM/KMcA)
During a visit to Portadown PSNI station to view the seized bulk gas containers, the Minister praised those involved in the process to dismantle the illegal operation.
He said: “Those operating this illegal gas bottling plant were only interested in making money and showed a blatant disregard for the safety of the community. This illegal facility was a disaster waiting to happen. It could have resulted in a major explosion in the middle of Cullaville, and posed a very real danger to public health and safety.
“The dismantling of this illegal plant underlines the effectiveness of a partnership approach to tackling organised crime. In this operation the PSNI were supported by HMRC, the Fire Service and the Health and Safety Executive in removing this threat from the people of Cullaville.”
The seizure on March 12 was the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. The PSNI seized over 3,500 illegally filled gas cylinders and bulk storage tanks containing approximately 24 tonnes of Liquid Petroleum Gas.
(JM/KMcA)
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