Oil Laundering Plant uncovered in Co. Meath
In a joint operation, Officers from Revenue's Customs Service and Officers from An Garda Siochana Meath Division, this morning (05/05/2011) uncovered a large oil laundering plant at a premises located at Knightstown, Co Meath.
A laundering operation was in progress at the time when Officers entered the premises at approximately 8.30am.
Officers seized 30,000 litres of laundered fuel, 12,000 litres of 'sludge', two tanker trailer units and four vehicles at the plant. Ancillary equipment was also dismantled and seized.
The plant had the capacity to launder an estimated 7.8 million litres of fuel per annum with a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €4m per annum.
Four males, two from Northern Ireland, one from Co Meath and one from Co Louth, were arrested by Gardai on site for the purpose of questioning.
Investigations are ongoing.
[Ends: 05/05/2011]