Gardaí close petrol stations in fuel laundering raid

A Garda operation which began in Birr has spread to five locations across the midlands.

Several units of the Gardaí and the Revenue are involved in a sting that is covering three counties.

In the early hours of this morning an operation involving the Criminal Assests Bureau, the Organised Crime Unit, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Revenue Commissioners began.

A large presence of armed gardaí was reported in Birr as the planned sting kicked off.

The operations have been continuing throughout the day in Birr, Westmeath and Roscommon.

The Criminal Assests Bureau and the Organised Crime unit, with the aid of local Gardaí, have conducted searches in Athlone.

It is part of an investigation into the laundering of fuel.

Armed gardaí are involved and a number of petrol stations are reported to have been closed.