Revenue uncovers oil laundry and seize cigarettes and drugs

In three separate operations today (16/05/12), Revenue's Customs Service uncovered an oil laundering plant, seized 248,000 cigarettes, 51kgs of tobacco, an oil tanker of smuggled fuel and a small quantity of herbal cannabis.

In Rathmore, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Officers uncovered a double oil laundering plant which had the capacity to launder approximately four million litres of fuel per annum with a potential loss to the Exchequer of €2m. The two plants - one concealed in a shed and the other concealed in a forty-foot container - were located on a commercial premises. Four lorries, a jeep, 18,000 litres of marked mineral oil, a tanker containing 6,000 litres of laundered fuel, a forty-foot trailer with concealed tank for the transport of fuel, bleaching earth and ancillary equipment were seized.

In a separate operation in Dublin today Officers, with support from An Garda Síochána, seized 248,000 cigarettes, with an estimated retail value of €116,000 and potential loss to the Exchequer of €98,000. In addition, 51kgs of tobacco was seized with an estimated retail value of €22,000 and potential loss to the Exchequer on this is €19,000. A small quantity of herbal cannabis was also seized. The cigarettes, tobacco and drugs were located mainly in a discreet lock-up facility in Dublin’s North Inner City. One male, an Irish National in his twenties, was arrested.

This operation is part of Revenue's ongoing activities to tackle fuel fraud. Revenue would like to remind motorists and the public that they should be aware of the risks posed to their vehicles by using laundered fuel. It also takes much needed funds from the Exchequer; hurts legitimate trade and of course it is funding criminal activity.

Also today, an oil tanker containing 19,000 litres of smuggled fuel was seized by Revenue's Customs Service. The tanker was stopped as part of an ongoing Revenue operation while travelling Southbound on the M1.

[End 16/05/2012]