Revenue intensifies illegal fuel crackdown

A campaign to detect the use of illegal fuel has been intensified, the Revenue Commissioners warned today.

Hauliers and motorists filling vehicles with diesels, which are mainly used in agriculture, will be targeted by custom officials across the country.

Revenue Commissioner Liam Irwin said with the worldwide increase in the cost of oil, officials are aware there is a greater temptation of the unscrupulous trader to use illegal diesel.

Marked mineral oil has already been detected in 471 vehicles so far this year.

Officers also made five seizures of green diesel (39,700 litres), four of laundered fuel (15,900 litres), and one of Northern Ireland kerosene (1,900 litres).

“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,” said Mr Irwin.

“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.”

Last year some 30 seizures of oil were made, totalling 119,217 litres.

They included laundered fuel, kerosene, green diesel, red diesel and petrol.