The illegal operation with the capacity to produce up to 1.5 million litres of illicit fuel a year, evading almost GBP1 million of revenue, has been dismantled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers.

HMRC assisted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), seized 10,000 litres of laundered green diesel, vehicles, storage tanks and laundering equipment following a raid yesterday morning (Tuesday).

As part of the clean up operation HMRC removed the residue of the laundering process; over 1,000 litres of toxic waste.

Mike Connolly, Assistant Director, HMRC Specialist Investigations, said:

"Fuel laundering is unregulated and dangerous. The by-products from the laundering process can cause severe damage to the environment with taxpayers and local ratepayers having to pay for the clean up and
disposal costs. This contaminated fuel could have been transportedanywhere across Northern Ireland endangering other road users."

"We continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), including the PSNI to stop the damage this criminal activity causes, both to our communities, to local businesses and the environment."

Anyone with information about illegal fuel should contact our free telephone hotline on 0800 59 5000 and let us know of any suspicious activities.

The man arrested has been released on bail. Investigations into the illegal operation are continuing.

Notes to Editors

1. Laundered fuel is red (or green) diesel, which has been filtered through chemicals or acids to remove the government marker. The chemicals and acids remain in the fuel and damage fuel pumps in diesel cars.

2. Red diesel is marked gas oil or a rebated fuel for use in agricultural machinery and not for use in road vehicles. Green diesel is the Republic of Ireland equivalent of the UK's red diesel.