This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7991988.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Two held over 'petrol tampering' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two men have been arrested by customs officers investigating a scam to dilute petrol with methanol which they believe was making about £100,000 a month. | |
The men were arrested at CCS Ltd, a chemical supply company in Donaghcloney in County Down. The company itself is not under investigation. | The men were arrested at CCS Ltd, a chemical supply company in Donaghcloney in County Down. The company itself is not under investigation. |
Officers also seized more than 70,000 litres of fuel at a distributors in County Armagh. | Officers also seized more than 70,000 litres of fuel at a distributors in County Armagh. |
A total of 20,000 litres were seized at two filling stations in County Down. | A total of 20,000 litres were seized at two filling stations in County Down. |
It follows an investigation which found excessive levels of methanol in samples across NI filling stations. | It follows an investigation which found excessive levels of methanol in samples across NI filling stations. |
It will take four days for test results to come back on the fuel seized on Thursday. | It will take four days for test results to come back on the fuel seized on Thursday. |
John Whiting, of Revenue and Customs, said methanol was "a dangerous and toxic chemical". | John Whiting, of Revenue and Customs, said methanol was "a dangerous and toxic chemical". |
"We are investigating the possibility of the deliberate contamination of petrol in Northern Ireland," he said. | "We are investigating the possibility of the deliberate contamination of petrol in Northern Ireland," he said. |
"As well as evading duty, any attempt to adulterate petrol is a dangerous business and would be a disturbing trend. | "As well as evading duty, any attempt to adulterate petrol is a dangerous business and would be a disturbing trend. |
"Methanol is toxic and highly flammable. Anyone choosing to use illegal fuel puts their engine at risk from corrosion. However, this has potentially much more serious health risks." | "Methanol is toxic and highly flammable. Anyone choosing to use illegal fuel puts their engine at risk from corrosion. However, this has potentially much more serious health risks." |