HM Revenue and Customs in the United Kingdom discovered 388 occasions where criminals were selling illegal fuel to motorists. The number of incidents discovered during the 2012-2013 time period was 48 percent higher than the 262 detections in 2009-2010. Norther Ireland had 128 detections of illegal fuel sites, with 260 sites being in the rest of the UK.
Previously, HMRC estimated that anywhere from $227 Million to $1 Billion (£150 Million to £700 Million) is lost in fuel tax revenue from illegal fuel smuggling and sales.
Reporters from the BBC were offered a liter of “cheap diesel” for $1.75 (£1.15), approximately 25 percent cheaper than the legitimate retail price. When the fuel was later tested, it was found to be contaminated and substandard.
Source: Angus Crawford, “Illegal fuel: 48% rise in ‘pop-up garages’,” BBC News, May 31, 2013.