Traders in illegal fuel on both sides of the Border have been warned authorities have stepped up their efforts to clamp down on smuggling and laundering.
Organised criminals involved in the activity face shared intelligence and co-operating enforcement agencies following the launch of a cross-border group today.
Membership of the Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group include the PSNI, Revenue and Customs, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).
Northern Ireland’s Treasury Financial Secretary Jane Kennedy said: “The initiative will lead to the investigation of offenders at all stages of the illegal fuel laundering network process as well as focusing on the leaders of the organised criminal network.”
She added there was legislation already in place. “This initiative will not only make the fullest use of that legislation, it will also identify if further new offences are needed.”
The Revenue Commissioners has revealed that more than 470 detections of illegal diesel had been made so far in 2008 following a total of 1,180 detections last year.
"With the worldwide increase in the cost of oil, we are aware that there is a greater temptation of the unscrupulous trader to use illegal diesel", Revenue Commissioner Liam Irwin said.
"We have a duty to protect the exchequer and safeguard the interest of legitimate traders and we intend to be increasingly vigilant in this area. We urge members of the public to contact their nearest Revenue office if they know of any fuel misuse or suspicious activity in their area."
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