Alleged fuel smugglers have €1m worth of assets frozen
They include properties on both sides of the Border.
The men under investigation are Damien John McGleenan of Keady and Neil Gerard Vallely of Meadowvale, Newtownhamilton.
The Assets Recovery Agency obtained court orders freezing the assets allegedly derived from fuel smuggling, as well as VAT and excise duty evasion.
The action followed investigations into suspected fuel smuggling in south Armagh.
Mr Valley’s wife Bronagh also had property frozen, but the ARA is not alleging any criminal conduct by her.
Mr McGleenan owns McGleenan Fuels in Keady and Mr Vallely is the proprietor of NV Oils in Newtownhamilton. It has been alleged he kept false business records to provide documentary cover for fuel he was allegedly smuggling and made false claims for VAT repayment.
The court orders follow claims the ARA has collectively restrained or confiscated almost £12m (€17.6m) in the last year.
Assistant director Alan McQuillan said: “Both these individuals are very prominent oil dealers in south Armagh. Fuel smuggling and laundering are major areas of organised crime in Northern Ireland and ARA is working closely with Revenue and Customs to make sure that, for more and more smugglers, this type of crime does not pay.
“Those involved in illicit oil trading must now realise that whoever they are and wherever they operate, all their assets are now at risk.”
Mr McGleenan’s frozen assets include:
* A pub at Keady.
* Four properties in Keady and two at Dundalk, Co Louth.
* Proceeds from the sale of four properties at Keady, Dundalk and Drogheda, also Co Louth
* Money in a range of bank accounts.
Mr Valley’s frozen assets include:
* Properties in Newtownhamilton and Whitecross, also Co Armagh.
* Proceeds from the sale of properties in Newtownhamilton, Drogheda and Belleeks, also Co Armagh.
* Money which is already in or has passed through a range of bank accounts.
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