12/12/2016

Large-Scale Fuel Laundering Operation Uncovered

A large-scale fuel laundering operation has been uncovered in Counties Monaghan and Cavan, in a joint operation by Revenue Enforcement Officers and Garda Regional Support Unit.

In an intelligence-led operation, officers seized two oil tankers, 20,000 litres of laundered mineral oil, 140 bags of bleaching earth, ancillary equipment associated with oil laundering, and cash, bank drafts and cheques in excess of €60,000 in the Castleblaney area.

Simultaneous searches carried out at other locations in Cavan and Monaghan resulted in the seizure of a further 14,000 litres of laundered diesel.

The illicit product was seized at a filling station and was also found to be in use at two haulage companies.

The illegal activities represent a potential loss to the exchequer of €1.2m per annum assuming the illicit product would have displaced legitimate diesel in the market place.

Investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.

(MH/JP)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 May 2013
Large-Scale Diesel Laundering Operation Uncovered
An illegal diesel laundering operation has been raided by customs officers and armed garda in Co Monaghan. The dawn raid at a premises at Drumacon, near Castleblayney, uncovered an operation with the capabilities of “washing” dye from some 15, litres of diesel a year. Estimates suggest it could have cost the revenue €8m a year.
28 March 2012
Diesel Laundering Operation Uncovered In Cavan
A diesel laundering operation has been uncovered in Co Cavan last night, and is believed it could have cost the state up to €5m a year in lost revenue, customs officers said. The sophisticated and well-concealed operation was discovered behind a house at Whitegate, near the N3 at Virginia.
04 November 2014
'Significant' Diesel Laundering Operation Shut Down In Co Monaghan
Customs offices have shut down a "significant" diesel laundering operation in Co Monaghan. It is understood that the plant, uncovered at Drumboat, Inniskeen, had the capacity to launder approximately 20 million litres per year, representing a potential loss of €10m to the Exchequer.
04 October 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.
04 November 2011
Fuel Laundering Operation Hits Water Supplies
Illegal fuel laundering is doing more damage than just costing the Exchequer lost revenue. It emerged yesterday that damage in Co Tyrone, at Aughnacloy Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW), was caused by by-products of a suspected fuel laundering operation - where agricultural 'red' diesel is stripped off the colouring and sold on as legitimate fuel.