Revenue officials, with the support of armed officers from the Regional Support Unit and local gardaí have uncovered two mobile diesel-laundering operations in Co Louth.

Coordinated raids were carried out on two facilities in Co Louth. They uncovered operations capable of preparing 15 million litres of fuel a year, at a cost to the exchequer of €8 million.

One of the units was producing fuel when it was discovered in a in a curtain-sided lorry on commercial premises at Ravensdale Park, Dundalk, Co Louth.

The laundry and four lorries, one of which held a concealed tank for transporting fuel, three oil tankers, 28,000 litres of fuel and other equipment were seized by Revenue's Customs Service.

Three tonnes of toxic waste were also uncovered.

In a connected search of a nearby private residence and adjoining yard, a slurry tank adapted for use as a mobile laundry was also uncovered.

One hundred bags of bleaching earth for use in the laundering process and 6,000 litres of fuel were seized. Three cars, two SUVs and a van at the site were also seized.

Investigations are continuing.

(H/CD)