Border fuel smuggling terrorist revenue source
MINISTER of State Hugo SWire told DUP MP Gregory Campbell that cross-border fuel smuggling remains a significant terrorist revenue source and that he fully supports Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in its efforts to crack down on it.
Mr Campbell asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Paterson what discussions he has had with HMRC on revenue losses attributable to fuel smuggling and other illegal activities in border regions.
Replying on the Secretary of State’s behalf Mr Swire said: “My officials liaise closely with HMRC, which is the lead department on fuel smuggling and related activity in Northern Ireland. As the 2011 Organised Crime Task Force’s Threat Assessment makes clear, smuggling remains a significant terrorist revenue source and we support HMRC in their efforts to crack down on it.”