UPDATE- Illegal Fuel Trade Search Operation in Cavan
The Criminal Assets Bureau led investigation into the illegal fuel trade targeting fuel laundring operations both sides border has uncovered a large quantities of cashand a significant fuel laundry operation capable of laundering several hundreds of thousands of litres of diesel.
A total of 19 properties, including seven dwellings, 10 businesses an two warehouse/outhouses were searched in counties Louth, Monaghan and the Cavan-Monaghan border, Dublin, Kildare, Waterford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath and Tipperary.
Involved over 300 personnel from police forces and various other organisations operating in both jurisdiction, as a result, large quantities of cash were discovered at two locations searched, while a quanity of business records and computers were also seized and will be now subject to forensic examination by CAB.
A significant laundry, with initial analysis indicating that it has a capability of laundering several hundreds of thousands of litres of diesel was also discovered, believed to have a potential throughput of 10 million litres per annum and a consequential loss to the Exchequer of €5.5million.
A quantity(in excess of 40,000 litres) of what is believed to be laundered fuel was found on the site as well as a significant quantity of a product known as Bleaching Earth(over 150bags). In addition 16 tanks each containing 1,000 litres of Sludge which is the waste product resulting from the laundering process and a 40ft container were also recovered.
The Criminal Assets Bureau have also frozen in excess of 25 bank accounts suspected to be linked to this operation.
The multi agency investigation aims to tackle profits being generated from the illegal fuel trade and in particular the suspected involvement of an organised crime group based in Louth, who it is belived has a wider network stretching from east to west across the central part of the country.
The Bureau began their operation earlier this morning, March 13, when they commenced a series of searches at various locations connected, in particular, at addresses and business premises believed to be owned or connected to key members of the organised criminal group involved in this illegal activity.
The agencies involved in the search operation are the Criminal Assets Bureau (all agencies that make up the Bureau), the Special Detective Unit of An Garda Síochána, as well as various uniform Garda units throughout the country and the Regional Support Unit, Northern Region and Revenue Customs personnel.
The search operation is also being supported by the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), The Garda Air Support Unit and the Air Corps and is being conducted in conjunction with other simultaneous searches being conducted by Her Majesties Revenue Customs (HMRC), Northern Ireland, supported by PSNI specialist teams at locations close to the Border in Northern Ireland.
The current focus of the investigation the gardai have said in a statement released to media earlier this morning, is to search for and seize evidence relating to the criminal activity and the assets suspected of deriving from same of the organised crime group.
The objectives of the operation are to seize evidence of assets deriving from oil fraud and money laundering, seize and dismantle illegal oil operations, seize cash or other assets including vehicles used in the criminal activity and to freeze bank accounts.
No arrests have been made.