Alert over illegal diesel sold in Midlands

Filling stations in the West Midlands and Staffordshire are being investigated for selling illegal diesel mixed with deadly chemicals that can ruin car engines.

Customs officers today said they are monitoring the activity of forecourts across the region where they suspect so-called laundered fuel is being sold to motorists.

They have seized diesel from seven operators in the past 10 months after it emerged it was being mixed with harmful chemicals such as kerosene.

Fines totalling £110,000 have been given to drivers filling up in the region.

Today investigators warned such sites are often owned by organised criminals linked with offences including drug and people trafficking. Laundered fuel costs the UK economy £650m a year.

Criminals are obtaining cheaper 'red' or 'green' diesel, which is not allowed on High Street forecourts, and filtering it with chemicals to remove a 'marker' added to the fuel the Government to identify it.

The fuel can ruin engines soon after filling up.

Greame Anderson, assistant director for Customs appealed to drivers to report forecourts they believed were selling the illegal fuel.

He said his officers had seized 185 commercial vehicles and 57 private vehicles in the West Midlands since April running on laundered fuel. Seven retailers had been investigated in the region during that period.

He said: "We are determined to stop this money being drained from the taxpayer by breaking up the criminal gangs."

By Crime Correspondent Shaun Jepson