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Fuel-laundering plants dismantled Fuel-laundering plants dismantled
(about 13 hours later)
Four fuel-laundering plants capable of producing around seven million litres of illicit diesel have been dismantled following raids in Northern Ireland.Four fuel-laundering plants capable of producing around seven million litres of illicit diesel have been dismantled following raids in Northern Ireland.
Revenue and Customs and PSNI officers carried out the raids at nine premises in Counties Tyrone and Antrim in a 24-hour period. Revenue and Customs and PSNI officers carried out the raids at nine premises in counties Tyrone and Antrim in a 24-hour period.
The fuel, if sold, would have cost £3.5m in lost revenue.The fuel, if sold, would have cost £3.5m in lost revenue.
Four men were arrested in County Tyrone and are being questioned about the discovery of the plants.Four men were arrested in County Tyrone and are being questioned about the discovery of the plants.
During searches in Coalisland, Sixmilecross, Carrickmore, Pomeroy and Dungannon officers seized 70,000 litres of fuel, five vehicles, bleaching agent, tanks and pumping equipment.During searches in Coalisland, Sixmilecross, Carrickmore, Pomeroy and Dungannon officers seized 70,000 litres of fuel, five vehicles, bleaching agent, tanks and pumping equipment.
'Illegal profit''Illegal profit'
John Whiting, of HM Revenue and Customs, said: " Transporting fuel in this way poses a risk to anyone in the vicinity with illegal profit the sole motivation. John Whiting, of HM Revenue and Customs, said: "Transporting fuel in this way poses a risk to anyone in the vicinity with illegal profit the sole motivation.
"The fact that unsecured tanks full of flammable fuel are being driven around on our roads shows utter contempt for the safety of other people.""The fact that unsecured tanks full of flammable fuel are being driven around on our roads shows utter contempt for the safety of other people."
Mr Whiting said indiscriminate dumping of by-products from the laundering process could cause severe damage to arable land and water systems, with taxpayers and local ratepayers having to pay for the clean up and disposal costs. Mr Whiting said indiscriminate dumping of by-products from the laundering process could cause severe damage to farm land and water systems, with taxpayers and local ratepayers having to pay for the clean up and disposal costs.
A large quantity of fuel-contaminated waste has been analysed by a team of officers who have been gathering evidence at the scene.A large quantity of fuel-contaminated waste has been analysed by a team of officers who have been gathering evidence at the scene.
In an unconnected operation a large laundering plant was dismantled in the Randalstown area of County Antrim with 1.5 tonnes of toxic waste and equipment removed from the site.In an unconnected operation a large laundering plant was dismantled in the Randalstown area of County Antrim with 1.5 tonnes of toxic waste and equipment removed from the site.
The plant had the capacity to produce around three million litres of illicit fuel with an estimated revenue loss of £1.5 million a year.The plant had the capacity to produce around three million litres of illicit fuel with an estimated revenue loss of £1.5 million a year.