DUP MLA and Policing Board member Robin Newton, said in welcoming the disruption of the illegal fuel laundering plant in Crossmaglen he is sure this plant will soon be back in operation.

Mr Newton said: "It is not enough for the PSNI and Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) simply to disrupt these criminal and dangerous fuel laundering plants. The law-abiding public has a right to demand that the criminals engaged in this massive profit making activity are put behind bars. On this matter the PSNI and HMRC must step up to the mark. The policy of disruption as opposed to prosecution of is insufficient; evidence for arrests should be a priority.

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"This latest joint strike by PSNI and HMRC saw 14 tonnes of poisonous waste being removed. No doubts this deadly waste would have been dumped by the criminals causing pollution of our countryside; possibly contaminating water supplies but certainly causing public danger. And the public purse would have paid for the necessary clean-up.

"There are strong suspicions the activity is carried out by criminal gangs and dissident republicans who fund terrorism from the profits. Not only is the Government losing huge tax amounts but paying out in the aftermath of the criminals' activity."

(CD/JP)