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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Major cross border operation against illegal fuel trade | Major cross border operation against illegal fuel trade |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Customs officials and police from Northern Ireland are involved in a huge cross-border operation against illegal fuel laundering and organised crime. | Customs officials and police from Northern Ireland are involved in a huge cross-border operation against illegal fuel laundering and organised crime. |
| More than 300 staff are involved in the operation, including more than 100 personnel from Northern Ireland. | More than 300 staff are involved in the operation, including more than 100 personnel from Northern Ireland. |
| It is being led by the Irish Republic's Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). | |
| On Wednesday morning, 19 searches were carried out in Louth, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Waterford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath and Tipperary. | On Wednesday morning, 19 searches were carried out in Louth, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Waterford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath and Tipperary. |
| Ten businesses, seven houses and two warehouses were searched. | Ten businesses, seven houses and two warehouses were searched. |
| The investigation, known as Operation Loft, is being conducted jointly with the Republic's Office of the Revenue Commissioners and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). | The investigation, known as Operation Loft, is being conducted jointly with the Republic's Office of the Revenue Commissioners and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). |
| It is being supported by the Garda (Irish police) Air Support Unit and the Air Corps and special police units on both sides of the border. | It is being supported by the Garda (Irish police) Air Support Unit and the Air Corps and special police units on both sides of the border. |
| In a statement, the gardai said the investigation is focused on the suspected involvement of an organised crime group based in County Louth. | In a statement, the gardai said the investigation is focused on the suspected involvement of an organised crime group based in County Louth. |
| "The objectives of the operation are to seize evidence of assets deriving from oil fraud and money laundering, seize and dismantle illegal oil operations, seize cash or other assets including vehicles used in the criminal activity and to freeze bank accounts," the statement added. | "The objectives of the operation are to seize evidence of assets deriving from oil fraud and money laundering, seize and dismantle illegal oil operations, seize cash or other assets including vehicles used in the criminal activity and to freeze bank accounts," the statement added. |