Revenue Uncover Oil Laundering Plant in Donegal
Officers from Revenue's Customs Service in Donegal today (03/03/2004) uncovered an oil laundering plant on a farm near Culdaff, Co. Donegal. Officers entered the premises and found approx, 21,000 litres of laundered mineral oil and a N.I. registered oil tanker. The tanker, oil, pumps and ancillary equipment have been seized by Customs Officers and removed from the premises. A man was interviewed at the premises and a file is being prepared for the DPP. The plant had the capacity to launder an estimated 20,000 litres per week with a potential annual revenue loss of €450,000 in Excise duty and VAT.
The term 'laundering' or 'washing' refers to the illegal activity of removing approved markers and dyes from green or red diesel. Green diesel, which is available in the Republic of Ireland, and red diesel, which is available in Northern Ireland, cannot be used in road vehicles.
A Revenue spokesperson said,
'Laundering or washing of mineral oil defrauds Revenue of Excise duty and VAT. The public need to be aware of the environmental and safety issues surrounding laundering plants. They need to consider what happens to the waste by product and the damage caused by contamination to arable land and our water and rivers. Chemicals used during a laundering process remain in the oil and can cause severe damage to vehicles engines and fuel pumps. I urge members of the public to contact their nearest Revenue office if they know of any fuel misuse or suspicious activity in their area'.