Gardaí seize 14,000L of laundered ‘green diesel’

Revenue uncovered a fuel laundering plant in Co Louth yesterday (Monday, March 14^th, 2022).

Revenue officers, with the Armed Support Unit of An Garda Síochána’s assistance, carried out a search, under warrant, of a commercial premises in Kilkerly, Dundalk.

Fuel laundering

During the intelligence-led operation targeting fuel laundering, Gardaí detected and seized the following items:

• 14,000 litres of marked mineral oil;
• Two oil tankers involved in the fuel laundering process, one containing 8,000 litres of laundered fuel;
• A van which acted as a mobile oil laundry and contained oil laundering apparatus;
• 400kgs of bleaching earth, a product used in the laundering of prescribed markers from rebated mineral oil.

In addition, they detected laundered diesel in a private motor vehicle at the premises and seized it.

Furthermore, Revenue interviewed two men in their 50s and 60s.

According to a statement from Revenue, no further information is available as investigations are “ongoing”.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting fuel laundering and shadow economy activity.

The spokesperson noted that the illicit trade in mineral oil products, particularly the laundering of marked mineral oil, is “a serious threat” to the exchequer.

In addition to the loss to the exchequer, they said, oil laundering:

• Undermines the competitiveness of legitimate businesses;
• Damages the environment;
• Damages consumers’ vehicles;
• Helps to sustain organised criminal networks.

Revenue urges parties with information regarding illegal activity to contact its confidential freephone: 1800 295 295.

Other news on That’s Farming: Revenue’s latest tax defaulters’ list

Farmers are among those who have featured in a List of Tax Defaulters, which Revenue has released in respect of the period October 1^st, 2021, to December 31^st, 2021.

Revenue published the list in two parts on Tuesday, March 8^th, 2022:

• 1: Persons in whose case the court has determined a penalty relating to a settlement or has imposed a fine, imprisonment or other penalties in respect of a tax or duty offence.
• 2: Persons in whose case Revenue has accepted a settlement offer instead of initiating court proceedings, or a settlement has been paid in full. This list reflects the amount of a settlement that remained unpaid at the end of the period of December 31^st, 2021.

Misuse of marked mineral oil:

• Noel Duignan, Derreenavoggy, Arigna, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon – farmer/construction – €2,500;
• Patrick McHale, Newfield, Mulranny, Newport, Co Mayo – farmer – €2,500.