Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 9) mounted territory-wide surprise inspections targeting illicit fuel activities and detected two related cases, seizing a total of about 1 400 litres of suspected illicit motor spirit with an estimated market value of about $42,000 and a duty potential of about $8,700. Two persons were arrested and one vehicle involved in a case was detained.
Yesterday afternoon, Customs officers shut down an illegal fueling station inside a metal shed near the roadside in Tung Chung during a patrol. About 600 litres of suspected illicit motor spirit and a batch of filling equipment were seized. An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Moreover, Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit fuel operation in Fo Tan yesterday night and dismantled an illegal fueling station on a remote roadside. About 800 litres of suspected illicit motor spirit and a batch of filling equipment were seized. Two men, one believed to be the operator of the illegal fueling station, aged 38, and a private car driver coming for fueling, aged 32, were arrested. The private car was also detained.
The two arrested persons were charged with illegal dealing with dutiable commodities.
Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement action and step up inspections to combat illegal fuel activities. Members of the public are also urged not to patronise illegal fueling stations. The use of illicit fuel is a criminal offence, and vehicles involved may be liable to confiscation.
According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any vehicle found conveying illicit motor spirit, as well as any tools, equipment, or articles used or intended to be used in connection with the commission of related offences, shall be liable to forfeiture whether or not any person is convicted of any offence. Anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit motor spirit commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illegal fuel activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
