Wicklow seizure: Revenue officers seize large haul of laundered fuel at a premises in Arklow

WICKLOW, Ireland - In a shocking seizure, Revenue officers are said to have confiscated almost 15,000 litres of laundered fuel in Wicklow.

The officers revealed that they had seized the laundered fuel at a premises in Arklow, that had 10,000 litres in an oil tanker and approximately 5,000 litres in a tank.

The department also seized the oil tanker transporting the laundered fuel.

Officials confirmed that an investigation had been launched, with a view to criminal prosecution.

In a statement post the raid, Revenue Commissioners confirmed that a new fuel marker was "a significant contributor to the detection and seizure.”

Adding, “While the coloured dye had been laundered and removed from the fuel, the new fuel marker (Accutrace S10™) was present, and enabled the successful detection of the laundered fuel."

The Revenue department has prioritised action on the illicit fuel trade over the last few years. 

The new marker helps Revenue to test samples of road diesel from distributors, forecourts and transport companies to identify the lower-taxed marked diesel intended for off-road use only.

It also allows the department to take appropriate enforcement action where the marker is detected. 

In separate raid, officers seized 1,250 litres of 'smuggled' alcohol too.

Customs officers said that they had seized 1,084 litres of wine and 164 litres of beer at the Dublin Port.

According to reports, the smuggled alcohol was worth over 15,500 euros in retail, representing a potential loss of over 7,500 euros to the Exchequer.

The Revenue Commissioners said in a statement that the alcohol had arrived from Portugal.