Third illegal fuel operation discovered in Draperstown this year

An illegal fuel laundering plant discovered in Draperstown at the beginning of May

A quantity of fuel and also apparatus was taken from the illegal filling station, but according to HMRC no arrests have been made.

Speaking about the operation, PC Glyn McGarry said: “As a result of the operation a quantity of fuel and apparatus was seized.”

Earlier in May police also unveiled a fuel laundering plant in Draperstown area as part of a multi-agency search conducted with DARD.

Whilst in February a further huxter site, along with 40 stolen sheep and a quantity of cannabis were discovered in the mountain town during a proactive police search of the area that saw a 32-year-old man arrested.

The sheep were believed to have been stolen from the Maghera area and were later returned to their owner.

And the man in question was arrested on suspicion of theft as well as possessing class B controlled drugs.

At the time, Pat Curtis, National Oils Co-ordinator at HMRC, said: “It is wrong that honest businesses should be undercut by criminals and those involved in making or selling laundered fuel.”