South Armagh fuel fraudsters ‘have moved into fake hand sanitiser’

South Armagh gangs which are long established in fuel laundering have diversified into making fake hand sanitiser since the start of the pandemic, it is claimed.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 25th Aug 2020, 16:46 BST
Updated 26th Aug 2020, 09:28 BST
Sources claims that criminal gangs used to producing laundered fuel have diversified into fake hand sanitiserSources claims that criminal gangs used to producing laundered fuel have diversified into fake hand sanitiser
Sources claims that criminal gangs used to producing laundered fuel have diversified into fake hand sanitiser

Three different sources in south Armagh have all made the same claim.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council told the News Letter it had a complaint regarding “non-compliant” hand sanitiser in March. Following an investigation, the council said it had the product recalled from customers and removed from sale. On that occasion the circulation was “limited” the council added.

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One south Armagh source said: “As soon as lockdown happened they were eyeing up the opportunities. I know of two families with IRA connections who are involved.

“Some of the hand sanitizer is labelled as killing 99% of germs but it has been tested and doesn’t. Just because it smells of alcohol people think it works but it doesn’t. 

“One of the plants used to make fake vodka immediately switched over to hand sanitiser. Everyone in south Armagh knows about it. 

“I understand there is also a plant on the border near Culloville. They also invested a lot of money bringing in faulty CPE equipment for pennies at a time and then selling it for a fortune. But it was not up to standard, it was dangerous.” 

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He said much of the fake products are being sold in Londonderry. “The PSNI were starting to make enquiries because they wanted to know if dissidents up there were making money from all this. But some very bad men are making lots of money from Covid.”

A former senior police officer said the claims did not surprise him. “The pandemic has created lots of opportunity for exploitation, including legitimate traders vastly increased the price of soap and painkillers, profiteering from the fears of vulnerable people,” he said. “The content of hand sanitisers is regulated but no advice has been given on what is legitimate. I suspect pure water would be of more benefit than some of the sprays on sale.”

A spokeswoman for HM Revenue and Customs said: “We remain alert to the methods criminals are using to evade taxes and duties and will continue to work with our multi-agency partners to tackle this type of crime.

“We would urge anyone with information about illicit plants used for fuel laundering or any other dangerous activity to report it to HMRC online or contact our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.”

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The PSNI they were not aware of the matter, but would encourage anyone with information to bring it forward.

Fuel fraudsters ‘still spared jail for peace’

Paisley blasts ‘shockingly lenient’ sentences as fuel fraudsters walk free

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