04/10/2011

Two Held Over Fuel Laundering Plant

Two men have been arrested in Monaghan on suspicion of running a fuel laundering plant.

Revenue officers and Gardaí raided the operation at commercial premises in Glaslough last night.

The two men where arrested at the scene, one aged 33 the other aged 34, both from Northern Ireland.

Officials believe that the illegal operation could have cost the exchequer up to €4m (£3.4m) in lost revenue. The plant had the potential to produce around €8m (£6.8m) worth of laundered oil a year.

The Garda, who followed a tanker delivering 40,000 litres of agricultural diesel into the premises, found an underground tank into which the fuel was pumped as well as bleaching agent to remove the dye from the fuel.

After the chemicals have been removed from the cheaper agricultural diesel, the fuel is then sold on as more expensive road diesel with those involved making huge profits.

A number of items were seized during the raid including a 40-foot trailer, a lorry and the 40,000 litres of fuel.

The two suspects are being questioned at Monaghan Garda Station.

(LB/CD)

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