Revenue operation targeting fuel laundering in County Louth
Yesterday (14/03/2022), in an intelligence led operation targeting fuel laundering, Revenue officers, with the assistance of the Armed Support Unit of An Garda Síochána, carried out a search, under warrant, of a commercial premises in Kilkerly, Dundalk, County Louth.
During the course of the operation the following items were detected and seized:
- 14,000 litres of marked mineral oil.
- Two oil tankers involved in the fuel laundering process, one containing 8,000 litres of laundered fuel.
- A van which acted as a mobile oil laundry and contained oil laundering apparatus.
- 400 kilos of bleaching earth, a product used in the laundering of prescribed markers from rebated mineral oil.
In addition, laundered diesel was detected in a private motor vehicle at the premises, resulting in the seizure of the vehicle. Two men aged in their 50s and 60s were interviewed by Revenue. No further information is available as investigations are ongoing.
The illicit trade in mineral oil products, and particularly the laundering of marked mineral oil, is a serious threat to the Exchequer. In addition to the loss to the Exchequer, oil laundering undermines the competitiveness of legitimate businesses, damages the environment, damages consumers' vehicles and helps to sustain organised criminal networks.
These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting fuel laundering and shadow economy activity. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding illegal activity such as fuel laundering, they can report it by contacting Revenue's Confidential Freephone 1800 295 295.
[ENDS 15/03/2022]