Thousands of litres of suspect illicit fuel seized

Authorities say these operations will continue in the weeks and months ahead.

Thousands of litres of suspected illicit fuel has been seized as part of a policing operation targeting rural crime north of the border.

Over the course of Friday, June 30, officers from Neighbourhood and Local Policing Teams and Tactical Support Groups across Fermanagh, Omagh, South Armagh, Derry City and Strabane worked alongside An Garda Síochána and partner agencies as part of the Joint Agency Task Force operation.

Chief Inspector Robert McGowan explained: “Over the course of the operation, along with colleagues from HMRC we attended a premises in Newry that was operating as an unlicensed filling station. Approximately 4,400 litres of suspected illicit fuel, two sets of commercial forecourt pumps and a 12,000 litre fuel tank were seized.”

The authorities also carried out 84 authorised vehicle check points, and a number of roadside breath tests which they are pleased to report “came back negative”.

Just one vehicle was seized on suspicion of a number of offences.

“We searched nine vehicles and six people on suspicion of drugs offences, recovering and disposing of small amounts of drugs.

“In the Newry area, we were also able to locate and arrest a male who was wanted on bench warrant.”

They add that these operations will continue in the weeks and months ahead.