Gardai have seized an illegal fuel laundering plant in Louth as part of an operation targeting fuel laundering.
Over 14,000 litres of marked mineral fuel were uncovered at a commercial premises in Kilkerley, Dundalk, by Revenue officers and the Armed Support Unit of an Garda Síochána.
Officers seized two oil tankers involved in the fuel laundering process, one which contained 8,000 litres of laundered fuel along with a van acting as a ‘mobile oil laundry’ which contained oil laundering equipment.
Gardai also seized 400 kilos of bleaching earth, a product used to lauder prescribed markers from rebated mineral oil.
Laundered diesel was also found in a private vehicle at the premises. Gardai then seized the vehicle.
Revenue questioned two men aged in their 50s and 60s.
A spokesperson for Revenue said that 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,” the spokesperson said.
“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.”
The spokesperson said 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 can report it by contacting Revenue’s Confidential Freephone on 1800 295 295.”
