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Customs officers of the Diesel Oil Enforcement Division yesterday (July 7) neutralised a syndicate suspected to have engaged in running one-stop illicit oil services, from manufacturing, to distributing and retailing, at various locations in Sheung Cheung Wai, Yuen Long.

In the operation, Customs officers arrested two men, aged 24 and 32 respectively. They also seized 5 800 litres of detreated oil, 900 litres of marked oil, 4 200 litres of synthetic motor spirit, and a batch of equipment, totally worth about $130,000. The illicit oil carried a duty potential of about $45,000.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today (July 8), "Following extensive investigations and close surveillance, Customs officers successfully neutralised the illicit oil detreating centre, a distributing centre for synthetic motor spirit, and an illicit oil filling station.

"Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate made use of pipes hidden in grasses to transfer illicit fuel to and from the venue for oil detreating process in a bid to evade Customs detection," the spokesman said.

The use of illicit oil is a criminal offence. Drivers concerned, once convicted, would have a criminal record and their vehicles would be forfeited.

Starting from July 2000, drivers convicted twice in connection with illicit oil offence would have their driving licence suspended for six months. Drivers convicted thrice or more would have their driving licence suspended for more than six months. So far, 18 drivers' licences have been suspended for six months.

The spokesman stressed that the Customs would continue to take rigorous enforcement action against illicit oil activities. He also appealed to members of the public to call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 to report suspected illicit oil activities.

End/Tuesday, July 8, 2003

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