Revenue have uncovered an oil laundering plant in County Monaghan this week.
In an intelligence-led operation, enforcement officers supported by the Garda Regional Support Unit seized two oil tankers, 20,000 litres of laundered mineral oil, 140 bags of bleaching earth, ancillary equipment associated with oil laundering and cash, bank drafts and cheques in excess of €60,000 in the Castleblaney area.
14,000 litres of laundered diesel was found in simultaneous searches carried out at other locations in Cavan and Monaghan - at a filling station and was in use at two haulage companies.
The illegal activities represent a potential loss to the exchequer of €1.2m a year, assuming the product would have displaced legitimate diesel in the market place.
Investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.
Mineral oil attracts a significantly lower rate of excise duty and VAT and its use in ordinary road vehicles is illegal. Fraudsters attempt to remove the fuel marker and sell it at a higher price, as ordinary road diesel.
If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illicit mineral oil, they have been asked to contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.
