Customs uncovers oil laundering plant

CUSTOMS have smashed one of the biggest ever oil laundering plants with the potential to earn criminals up to €4.5 million a year.

The facility was located on the Border at Raffan, near Hackballscross, Dundalk, Co Louth.

Customs arrested a man at the facility which they said could launder around 7.5 million litres of fuel per year. Customs estimate criminals earn profits of 50 cent to 60 cent per litre, representing a massive potential profit of €3.75m to €4.5m in a year.

It is the fourth illegal commercial operation to be exposed by Customs in the last four months which, between them, had the capacity to produce more than 20 million litres of cleaned oil a year. During the laundering process, dye is removed to convert the oil from agricultural use to commercial use.

Customs estimate that oil launderers pay 50c-60c for a litre of marked oil and, after “washing” it with toxic chemicals, sell it on to garages and businesses for 1.10 a litre, giving 50c-60c profit a litre.

A Customs spokesman said officers “uncovered a large oil laundering plant” near Hackballscross in an operation assisted by local gardaí yesterday morning. It is not known whether a senior republican figure, who has deep connections in the area, is being investigated in connection with the massive operation.