UK: Police seize 17,500 gallons of illegal fuel

The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs officers (HMRC) seized more than 17,000 gallons of ‘illicit fuel worth around £56,000 from several stations.

During a three-day raid, officers from the HMRC discovered illegal fuel in four different sites, which led to the arrest of a 30-year-old-man. Authorities closed sites in Leeds, Motherwell, Cowdenbeath, Fife, and the Hillington area of Glasgow.

Two vehicles were also seized in Loanhead, Midlothian, along with a further 1,500 litres of suspected illicit fuel.

The seizures and arrest follow the dismantling of a suspected fuel laundering plant in Newry, County Armagh, by HMRC officers last week, reports the BBC.

"Fuel laundering is unregulated and dangerous. Illicit fuel is sold at reduced prices and motorists may think they are getting a good deal,” said Joe Hendry, assistant director of HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service.

HMRC said it had the potential to produce in excess of 10 million litres of fuel a year, resulting in a £6.5m revenue loss.