Revenue uncovers second oil laundering plant in 12 hours

Officers from Revenue's Customs Service, assisted by An Garda Síochána, uncovered an oil laundering plant in Courtbane, Dundalk, Co. Louth this morning (24/10/12). Officers discovered the oil laundering plant, the second operation within 12 hours, which had the capacity to launder approximately 4 million litres of fuel per annum with a potential loss to the exchequer of €2 million per annum.

21,000 litres of illicit fuel, a quantity of bleaching earth, one tanker, a van and equipment were seized in a shed at the back of a private house. Officers also discovered 4 tonnes of toxic waste.

This was a separate operation to the discovery in Tatebane this morning Revenue Uncovers Oil Laundering Plant in Co. Louth and is the result of surveillance activity carried out by Revenue's Customs Service and forms part of Revenue's on-going crackdown on laundered fuel.

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.

[Ends: 24/10/12]