Special task force proposed to deal with fuel-smuggling

A special task force is needed to combat organised cross-border gangs involved in fuel-smuggling and ‘illicit trade’, say politicians north and south of the border.

Yesterday a committee of Irish and British politicians called for more determined action north and south of the border in a report highlighting the need for more serious penalties, including more lengthy custodial sentences for illicit trade activities, “in order to make the island of Ireland a more difficult place for criminal gangs to operate”.

The British and Irish Political Assembly says it is particularly alarmed by the evidence of the widespread presence of fuel laundering plants and filling stations selling illicit fuel in border regions and further afield.

They says the problem is worst in south Armagh and Monaghan and met with the heads of councils in Monaghan, Donegal and Louth.

The Report stresses that “those involved must not be allowed to continue this illegal activity and every possible effort must be made by law enforcement authorities in their collaborative efforts to shut down these operations, despite the difficulties in policing some of these areas.”

Financial firm Grant Thornton estimated that fuel-laundering alone was worth somewhere between €140-260 million a year in losses to Revenue.

Other recommendations include that stations convicted of selling illegal, laundered, or stretched fuel “cannot simply reopen after a few weeks”, that on-the-spot fines be brought in for consumers knowingly buying illicit goods and more funding for enforcement.

The Chair of Committee A Senator Paul Coghlan says: “Illicit cross-border trade, particularly in fuel and cigarette smuggling, is a huge issue impacting on the lives of citizens and small businesses on both sides of the border.

“This report focuses on how the PSNI and An Garda Síochána, and the Northern Ireland Executive, Irish Government and other law enforcement agencies, work together, particularly in light of the devolution of policing and justice powers and the launch of the Cross-Border Policing Strategy in 2010. The Committee was hugely encouraged by the on-going positive cooperation in this area and believes that its series of practical recommendations, if implemented, can build on this good work,” he said.

Major players in the operation include Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice, David Ford MLA, the Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O’Sullivan; the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), George Hamilton; members of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI; the Chief Executives of Monaghan, Louth and Donegal County Councils; Members of the PSNI in Crossmaglen and members of an Garda Síochána in Dundalk; representatives of the Retailers Against Smuggling and the Petrol Retailer’s Association; and from Grant Thornton Ireland who produce an annual report on the fiscal losses incurred as a result of illicit trade.

Kirk calls for multi-agency approach to tackle fuel smuggling

Fuel smuggling waste dumped at Stephenstown Pond yesterday morning. Picture by Fra Browne

Local TD Seamus Kirk has called for a multi-agency approach involving authorities North and South to tackle fuel smuggling in the border counties.

Deputy Kirk was speaking about ongoing concerns around smuggling by criminal gangs and dumping of toxic materials affecting water quality in the region.

His concerns come after a further find of toxic diesel sludge in his native Knockbridge yesterday at Stephenstown Pond.

He said: “The issue of fuel smuggling remains a major concern for Louth and other border counties.  I have consistently called for the Government and State agencies to increase co-operation with authorities in the North and last week I sought the intervention of the Environmental Protection Agency following media reports that water for County Louth was being polluted by toxins harmful to the public.

“There are around 40,000 people living in Dundalk and they need assurances that their water supply is safe and hasn’t been compromised by toxins from criminal activity.

“I will be writing to the EPA and raising this matter in the Dáil with the Minister for Environment Alan Kelly.  Fuel smuggling remains a major problem in the border region and the Government and the Gardaí need to do more to shutdown illegal operations.  The fact that criminal elements are being left to producer fuel that can damage vehicles and now threaten the water supply to thousands of people is simply unacceptable.

“One measure the government should look at is to change the excise duty on agricultural diesel.  The simple fact of the matter is auto diesel is considerably more expensive than agricultural diesel.  If we’re in a position to take some of the incentive for smugglers we could significantly dent the market for this illegal activity. This would likely involve compensation for farmers but I believe this is something the Government should be open to looking at.

“A multi-agency approach that is cross-border in nature involving Revenue, the EPA, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency as well as local authorities in Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, and Newry is the best way to tackle this problem.  A lot of work is already being done but I believe more action is required particularly given the fact that concerns are now being expressed about the safety of water from this criminal activity.  Fuel smuggling has a huge impact on the economy, locally and nationally and it must be stamped out.”

CAB to target local fuel smugglers

Fuel laundering is a major issue in this area

The Criminal Assets Bureau is taking High Court action against a series of suspected fuel smugglers around the country, many of whom are in the North Louth area.

The bureau is listed in a total of 25 High Court cases where assets belonging to the targeted figures have already been frozen. The total value of assets is estimated at roughly €1.75m, according to The Irish Independent.

As well as losing those assets, any convicted smuggler could also face hefty financial penalties.

Most of those being targeted by CAB are based in either south Armagh or counties Louth and Monaghan and are under investigation by gardaí and Customs.

Some of those under scrutiny are also said to have links with the Provisional IRA, with one gang reported to have networks spread through the state.

In a major operation last year, led by the bureau here and the North’s customs officers, searches were carried out in counties Louth, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Waterford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath and Tipperary, as well as south Armagh on the far side of the Border.

The home of a petrol retailer and the offices of an international transport company were among the premises raided and a large number of files, computers and discs were seized during the raids.

More than two dozen bank accounts were subsequently frozen and cash seized while a fuel plant, with the capacity to launder several hundred thousand litres of diesel, was also uncovered.

Bureau officers spent months tracking down bank accounts suspected of being used by the launderers and initial finds opened up fresh leads as the financial extent of the operation widened.

Apart from the gangs, directly linked to former Provisional IRA leaders or dissident republican groups, other suspected launderers have also come into the sights of the bureau.

One businessman, who is regarded as a kingpin in the cross-border trade, will shortly be served with a seven-figure tax demand by the CAB following a multi-agency investigation into his activities.

He has been a key target of gardai and Customs for several years and has already made one substantial settlement with the bureau.

Source: CAB targets fuel laundering suspects with 25 court actions (Irish Independent)