The mobile laboratory for testing fuel used by the HMRC.
TWO FILLING STATIONS on the Fermanagh border have been raided by HMRC officials assisted by local police.
Over a two day period from Wednesday October 8 to Thursday October 9 police assisted customs agents in visiting filling stations in the Newtownbutler (Cavan Road) and Leggykelly areas of the county.
A HMRC spokesman confirmed on Friday seizures had taken place.
“HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has carried out a number of visits to filling stations in the County Fermanagh area over last two days. Around 1,500 litres of suspected illicit fuel was seized. Investigations into the seizure are ongoing.”
The PSNI Fermanagh Facebook page stated that a total of 6,500 litres of fuel was seized from one of the stations, which was suspected to be laundered.
“The calculated loss of revenue to the exchequer based on 18 months of trading in laundered fuel would be in excess of £3,000,000 according to HMRC figures,” explained the police representative.
“Laundered fuel not only represents a loss to the exchequer, the proceeds of this criminal enterprise are used to fund a number of other unlawful activities.
“Laundered fuel also causes damage to your car. Engine seals, your fuel pump and the engine itself will be irreparably damaged by using laundered fuel.
“If the price is too low, then it is probably not proper fuel. You may save money in the short term but end up having to replace your engine as a result.”
Inspector Roy Robinson explained that this problem was not confined to Fermanagh and was a problem in other border counties and in the South.
“As well as laundered diesel, they’re also putting some sort of a benzene in to bulk up the petrol.
There was a guy in the southern side of the border doing it and southern cars have blown up.
“If you continue to use the same filling stations where they’re laundering it can have a terrible effect and half a dozen cars have apparently blown up somewhere in the southern side of the border. So if you continue to use this bulked up petrol you run the risk. It bulks up the petrol and it is very profitable, it is as profitable as a laundered diesel.”
Mr Robinson said that if fuel seems cheap and almost too good to be true, it invariably is.
“When they’re selling it cheaper than others can buy it, it is suspicious. Some of them though masquerade by being slightly cheaper, to make the enticement greater for people to come in.”
He continued: “They’re doing serious damage to the environment with their laundered fuel, they’re wrecking the countryside with all the waste. Not only that, but it is phenomenal the amount of money not going into the Northern Ireland economy. The government who are in power can’t get this extra money which is going to people involved in this carry on.”
With fuel barrens standing to make as much as £8 per fill and with border areas a desirable location for the offences Fermanagh is a county at risk.
If you know of filling stations or other businesses who you know or suspect to be dealing in illegal fuel, please contact Police on 101 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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