Inside the diesel fuel laundering plant uncovered in Co Armagh

POLICE and Customs have smashd an illegal diesel laundering plant in Co Armagh.

Officers seized over 8,000 litres of fuel, a 20ft lorry used for transporting materials, a number of cars and other equipment from the Jonesborough area on Friday.

The fuel plant, located inside a farm shed, was said to be capable of producing over 4.3m litres of illicit fuel a year, evading £2.8m in unpaid duty annually.

Officers questioned the four men, who are from Co Armagh, and released them on bail.

John Whiting, head of investigations at HMRC said: “Buying illicit fuel not only funds crime but supports and encourages these dangerous activities within our communities.

“The only winners are the criminals, who are profiting at the expense of honest businesses and endangering the future viability of our legitimate fuel retail service.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact our free telephone hotline on 0800 59 5000 and let us know of any suspicious activities or fuel misuse in their area.”