Two men were arrested in Co Louth this evening after an oil laundering plant with a capacity to launder about twelve million litres of fuel per annum was uncovered.
The plant was concealed in a 40ft curtain-sided trailer in Courtbane, Hackballscross.
A mobile oil laundering plant was also uncovered in a van. The van, two tankers, 25,000 litres of product and ancillary equipment were also seized. A significant quantity of toxic waste was also uncovered at the site.
The men, in their late twenties/early thirties, one with an address in Dublin and the other with an address in Northern Ireland, are currently being questioned.
Officers from Revenue's customs service and local gardaí were involved in the operation. It is estimated that fuel laundered at the plant would represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of €6 million.