A truck transporting the diesel laundering equipment seized yesterday in Castleblayney  was  hijacked and set on fire after accidently  crossing  the border into Northern Ireland.

The entire operation was dismantled on site and was to be taken away.

It seems that at around 7pm yesterday one of the trucks transporting the equipment away from the site took a wrong turn and crossed the border into Northern Ireland.

Within minutes, the truck was blocked by a gang of men and the customs officer who was driving the lorry  fled into the fields.

The trailer and tractor unit were then set on fire by the gang.

The officer hid in the area for an hour before identifying himself when the fire crew arrived to put out the blazing truck.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said officers were investigating the incident.

They confirmed that the vehicle was hijacked and set on fire on the Blaney Road near Crossmaglen.

The driver was 'unhurt but shocked' following his ordeal, according to the PSNI.

A spokesperson for the Revenue Commissioners said they were taking this incident very seriously and would investigate all the circumstances surrounding it.