TWO suspected diesel laundering plants, capable of evading an estimated £12 million in duty between them, have been dismantled by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in Thurrock and Merseyside.
The discovery of the plants, which are capable of producing 20 million litres of illicit fuel a year, is connected to activity by Kent Police, investigating the theft of fuel from commercial pipelines in the UK.
During a series of multi-agency operations last Thursday (20 November), HMRC, accompanied by officers from Kent Police, searched commercial premises in the Upminster and West Thurrock areas of Essex where they discovered a laundering plant.
In coordinated activity, HMRC supported by officers from Merseyside Police, searched commercial premises in the Bootle area where they discovered a second laundering plant in an industrial unit.
Pat Curtis, National Oils Co-ordinator, HMRC, said:
“Every illegal diesel laundering operation typically generates tonnes of toxic waste and robs UK taxpayers by evading fuel duty. Taxpayers are not only missing out on the stolen tax that ends up the pockets of the criminals, but will have to pay the substantial clean-up and disposal costs.
“Buying illicit fuel not only funds crime, it supports and encourages these dangerous activities within our communities and we will continue to work with our partners in the Police to target this criminality, which costs millions in lost taxes every year.”
Investigations into the seizures are continuing.
