Red diesel 'busted' at Holyhead

30/03/2009

Smugglers have been busted attempting to bring 50,000 litres of red diesel into the UK, reports the Daily Post.

Customs officers discovered the fuel, which had been filtered in order to remove green government markers.

And the method of transportation was also suspicious, as one spokesperson notes.

HM Revenue & Customs assistant director of criminal investigation Andrew Pavlinic said: "Fuel launderers show no regard for honest drivers, businesses and the environment."

In the latest case, 25,000 litres of the red diesel were held in place using two straps and were being transported in a soft-sided truck.

The bust comes as Farmers Weekly reports a rise in the cost of red diesel, driven higher by rising crude oil prices.

Last week, the publication cited figures from Ackerman & Niece which showed a 3p increase in red diesel prices per litre, taking it over the 40p benchmark as Farmers Weekly went to press.