Revenue uncovers an oil laundering plant in Co. Louth

Officers from Revenue's Customs Service, assisted by An Garda Síochána, uncovered an oil laundering plant in Tatebane, Hackballscross, Dundalk, Co. Louth in the early hours of this morning (24/10/12). The oil laundering plant had the capacity to launder approximately 18m litres of fuel per annum with a potential loss to the exchequer of €9m per annum.

30,000 litres of illicit fuel; 53 bags of bleaching earth; one tanker and three lorries, one of which contained a concealed tank for the transportation of laundered fuel, were seized at the site. Ancillary equipment for the bleaching earth laundry was dismantled and removed, along with an old-style cat litter laundry which had not been in use in recent weeks. Officers also discovered 36 tonnes of toxic waste and a 'sibín' on the premises. Spirits on which Irish duty was not paid was seized by Revenue officials.

Three men, two from Northern Ireland and one with an address in Co. Louth, were arrested and taken to Dundalk Garda Station.

This operation was 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]