AQW 40885/11-15


Mr Ross Hussey
Ulster Unionist Party
West Tyrone


Tabled Date: 19/01/2015
Answered On Date: 23/01/2015
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice how many people have been convicted of fuel laundering related offences over the last ten years, detailing (i) the offences committed; (ii) the penalty imposed; (iii) any confirmed paramilitary involvement; (iv) the number of cases not prosecuted; and (v) the money paid back into the public purse as a result of such prosecutions.


Answer:
Fuel laundering is a reserved matter which falls within the remit of HM Revenue and Customs. They have provided the tables below. It is only possible for them to supply figures from 2010/11 onwards. Figures relate to offences involving excise evasion on fuel – this includes fuel laundering but it is not possible to separate that offence from other oil fraud.
In addition, it is not possible to provide information relating to paramilitary involvement. With regards to cases not prosecuted, HMRC will always attempt to prosecute wherever evidence is available to support a criminal prosecution. Criminal prosecution only forms part of HMRC’s approach to tackling oil fraud. Other strategies include civil action (for example the seizure of fuel, pumps, vehicles and cash) combined with a strong regulatory control system and civil penalties regime.
Statistics relating to convictions, penalties and criminal confiscations are set out below.
Oils
Total
Of which:
2010/11
Northern Ireland
GB
Arrests
18
18
0
Confiscation Orders
£503,788
£20,000
£483,788
Prosecutions (Individuals Charged)
N/K*
N/K
N/K
Convictions
10
4
6
Custodial Sentences
3
0
3
Suspended Sentences
6
3
3
Non - Custodial Sentences
1
1
0
Seizures (Million Litres)
2.74
0.64
2.10
Laundering Plants
23
20
3
Petrol Stations (Retail Sites)
117
55
62
Huckster Sites
68
51
17
*Not Known (N/K) has been recorded for prosecutions in 10/11 due to the non-availability of data on individuals.
Oils
Total
Of which:
2011/12
Northern Ireland
GB
Arrests
15
12
3
Confiscation Orders
£302,405
£0
£302,405
Prosecutions (Individuals Charged)
16
14
2
Convictions
5
4
1
Custodial Sentences
1
0
1
Suspended Sentences
1
1
0
Non - Custodial Sentences
2
2
0
Seizures (Million Litres)
2.44
0.93
1.51
Laundering Plants
32
29
3
Petrol Stations (Retail Sites)
110
65
45
Huckster Sites
103
84
19
Oils
Total
Of which:
2012/13
Northern Ireland
GB
Arrests
12
8
4
Confiscation Orders
£47,150
£42,000
£5,150
Prosecutions (Individuals Charged)
11
7
4
Convictions (Inc. Suspended)
11
9
2
Custodial Sentences (Inc. Suspended)
4
3
1
Non - Custodial Sentences
2
2
0
Seizures (Million Litres)
2.69
0.79
1.9
Laundering Plants
26
22
4
Petrol Stations (Retail Sites)
154
74
80
Huckster Sites
76
53
23
Oils
Total
Of which:
2013/14
Northern Ireland
GB
Arrests
29
27
2
Confiscation Orders
£113,001
£113,000
£1
Prosecutions (Individuals Charged)
6
6
0
Convictions (Inc. Suspended)
10
9
1
Custodial Sentences (Inc. Suspended)
6
5
1
Non - Custodial Sentences
4
4
0
Seizures (Million Litres)
2.11
0.57
1.54
Laundering Plants
44
38
6
Petrol Stations (Retail Sites)
127
49
78
Huckster Sites
112
79
33
YTD DECEMBER 2014
Oils
Total
Of which:
2014/15
Northern Ireland
GB
Arrests
25
13
12
Confiscation Orders
 
 
 
Prosecutions (Individuals Charged)
10
6
4
Convictions (Inc. Suspended)
3
2
1
Custodial Sentences (Inc. Suspended)
0
0
0
Non - Custodial Sentences
3
2
1
Seizures (Million Litres)
 
 
 
Laundering Plants
 
 
 
Petrol Stations (Retail Sites)
 
 
 
Huckster Sites