A diesel laundering plant capable of producing over 22 million litres of illicit fuel a year, evading almost £14m in revenue, has been dismantled by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) .
Tax officers, accompanied by the police, searched an isolated farm building in Jonesborough, Northern Ireland, where they uncovered the laundering plant. During the operation, officers removed over 26 tonnes of toxic waste – the by-product of the laundering process – and 700 litres of illicit fuel, as well as a number of vehicles, pumps and equipment.
Pat Curtis, National Oils Co-ordinator, HMRC, said: “Every illegal laundering operation typically generates tonnes of toxic waste, involving significant safety and environmental issues. As taxpayers and local ratepayers, not only are we missing out on the stolen tax that ends up the pockets of the criminals, we are also paying the substantial clean-up and disposal costs.”
Investigations are continuing.
