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Customs officers from the Diesel Oil Enforcement Division of Customs Marine and Land Enforcement Command yesterday (Wednesday) smashed a detreated oil plant and a detreated oil storage centre, following the seizure of a large quantity of illicit oil and impounded seven vehicles, totally worth more than $300,000 at Sheung Shui.

After in-depth investigations, the officers yesterday afternoon raided a target oil plant at Kwu Tung and seized 10,000 litres of detreated oil and 14,000 litres of marked oil, as well as impounded seven vehicles and a 20-foot container .

During the operation, two men, aged 42 and 44, were arrested.

They will face charges in relation with 'dealing with dutiable commodities'. The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $1 million and two years' imprisonment.

"The Department is determined to repress all kind of illicit oil activities," a spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department stressed.

Members of the public having information about illicit oil activities could call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

End/Thursday, November 11, 1999

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