Arrests in NI and England amid HMRC ‘fuel fraud’ probe

Three arrests were made. Credit: HMRC

Three men have been arrested following an HMRC investigation into a suspected multi-million pound fuel fraud.

A suspected fuel laundering facility in south Armagh, believed to be capable of producing 20 million litres of illicit fuel per year evading £11m in revenue, was dismantled.

Investigators also found 6,500 litres of suspected laundered fuel at a retail site in Greater Belfast.

One man was arrested in Belfast. Credit: HMRC

It comes after raids were carried out at nine businesses and four properties across England, as well as in Northern Ireland.

A man aged 31 was arrested in Belfast, a 31-year-old man was arrested in Crewe and a 37-year-old man was arrested in Surrey.

The three were questioned and released pending further enquiries.

Assistant Director Tracey Noon said: “The illicit trade in laundered fuel is a serious crime and one we are determined to detect and disrupt.

“We remain alert to the often dangerous methods and efforts of criminals to remove the government markers from rebated fuel.”