Revenue operation targeting fuel laundering in Co. Monaghan

In an intelligence led operation targeting mineral oil laundering, Revenue officers carried out a search, under warrant, over the course of Friday (18/12/2020) and Saturday (19/12/2020), of a residential premises and out buildings in Agnaglogh, Castleshane, Co Monaghan.

The joint operation was carried out by Revenue’s Customs Service and An Garda Síochána under the auspices of the cross border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF). In addition, to ensure the safety of the public, Monaghan County Council Fire & Civil Protection provided critical support services.

During the course of the operation a distillation plant for the purposes of laundering marked mineral oil was discovered. Some of the other items seized included:

  • 33,000 litres of mineral oil
  • a lorry with an 18,000 litre oil tank
  • a generator, pumps, hoses and a filtering system
  • 10,000 litres of mineral oil sludge, which is a by-product of the laundering process.

A man was interviewed, under caution, by Revenue and investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution. For operational reasons, no further information is being made available at this time.

Simultaneously, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) carried out a search, under warrant, at a premises in Annaghdad Rd, Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh. Three individuals were arrested and cash amounts estimated to be in the region of €35,000 and £6,000, along with a car, were seized as part of the operation.

The collaboration across all agencies was significant in the successful outcome of this operation.

These joint operations are part of on-going multi agency, cross jurisdictional work targeting fuel smuggling and shadow economy activity. If you know someone is evading tax or involved in illegal activity such as fuel smuggling you can report it by contacting Revenue's Confidential Freephone 1800 295 295.

{Ends 20/12/2020}