HMRC dismantle illegal fuel operation in Lanarkshire
A diesel laundering plant capable of producing three quarters of a million litres of illicit fuel a year, potentially evading almost £475,000 of revenue, has been dismantled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers.
HMRC officers raided commercial premises in a rural area of Netherburn where they uncovered a 20 foot container being used to launder red diesel. During the operation, nearly 8,000 litres of fuel, a vehicle, charcoal and a drum of toxic waste, the bi-product of the laundering process, were removed from the site. Pumps, storage tanks and filtration equipment were also uplifted.
Michael Connolly, Assistant Director, HMRC Specialist Investigations, said:
“Fuel laundering is unregulated and dangerous. Every year taxpayers have to bear the costs of dismantling equipment used to launder diesel and to safely remove the toxic and dangerous residue, which is often dumped in the countryside.
“Not only is there the cost of the clean up but these illegal sites and those involved are jeopardising our local economies by ripping off honest retailers. Fuel fraud creates a cheap and unregulated supply that honest retailers cannot compete with, and as taxpayers we are all being deprived of funds that could be used for essential services in our communities.
“Laundered fuel may appear cheap, but it’s certainly no bargain for taxpayers.”
A man was questioned in connection with the laundering operation and investigations are continuing.
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