A cross-border group will be established today in an effort to tackle the multi-million euro fuel fraud business.
The multi-agency body will include members of the Garda, Customs and Criminal Assets Bureau working with their counterparts in the PSNI and HM Revenue & Customs.
The Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group will operate under the auspices of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF).
The new group, set up by the North's Security Minister Paul Goggins, the chairman of the OCTF, will drive the war against illegal fuel producers.
The annual report of the OCTF published today said that in 2005/06 non-UK duty paid diesel accounted for 43 per cent of the North's market share.
“Whilst legitimate cross-border shopping accounts for some of the revenue lost, deliberate oils fraud is believed to account for the vast majority,” said the report.
It revealed that between April 2000 and March 2007 12 million litres of illicit fuel were seized and 111 fuel laundering plants were dismantled disrupting 21 criminal gangs.
Mr Goggins said the report showed the fight against organised crime was relentless.