Gardaí and customs officials are to target rogue hauliers in a three-day joint operation aimed at disrupting unlicensed haulage operators, untaxed fuel and illegal waste transport.
The nationwide campaign follows claims by the haulage industry that up to a fifth of all hauliers working in Ireland are bogus.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Eddie Rock said there were indications that a significant number of operators were not registered or licensed.
The haulage industry has told gardaí that it estimates between 6 per cent and 20 per cent of heavy goods contractors were not compliant with the road transport regulations.
Mr Rock, who heads up the Garda Traffic Corps, said the multi-agency checkpoints would be staged near border crossings, at sea ports and elsewhere.
It is believed a number of hauliers from outside the jurisdiction have not received Department of Transport-issued community authorisation.
There are also claims of agricultural vehicles, including tractors and trailers, being used for the unregulated transport of heavy goods for commercial purposes.
PA
