​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 21) smashed an illicit refuelling station in Yuen Long and seized about 3 400 litres of suspected illicit motor spirit with an estimated market value of about $60,000 and a duty potential of about $20,000.
During an anti-illicit fuel operation conducted in Yuen Long yesterday morning, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit motor spirit and a batch of oil refilling apparatus inside a fenced area. A 39-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case were arrested. A private car suspected to be involved has also been detained.
The two arrested persons were formally charged with illegal dealing with dutiable commodities.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, selling, buying or using illicit motor spirit commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. Moreover, anyone convicted twice in connection with illicit oil offence would have their driving licence suspended for six months. Those convicted three or more times would have their driving licence suspended for more than six months.
Customs will continue to take enforcement action against illegal fuel activities.
Members of the public may report any suspected illegal fuel activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Follow this news feed: East Asia