New measures to combat fuel laundering and fuel smuggling have been announced in Northern Ireland.
Those involved in organised crime now face shared intelligence and co-operating enforcement agencies from the Republic and Northern Ireland following the launch of a cross-border group today.
The initiative will lead to the investigation of offenders at all stages of the illegal fuel laundering network process.
It will also focus on the leaders of the organised criminal network.
Treasury Financial Secretary Jane Kennedy said legislation was already in place and that this initiative will not only make full use of that legislation, it will also identify if further new offences are needed.
Membership of the group will include the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), the PSNI, Revenue and Customs, and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
The Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group will, in Northern Ireland, operate under the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF).
Chairman of the OCTF Paul Goggins said the group has been briefed to disrupt and dismantle the fuel fraudsters, strip them of their cash and put them before the courts.
He said the formation of the group was a major and significant step forward in the fight against cross-border fuel fraud.
The new strategy follows a warning by the Revenue Commissioners that the campaign to detect the illegal use of motor fuel is to be stepped up.
This year, 471 vehicles have been found to be using illegal fuel.
