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The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Fire Services Department (FSD) have conducted a territory-wide operation since June 18 against illicit filling stations.

These stations at most times claimed to be selling duty-paid Light Diesel Oil, but in fact mixed illicit oil with duty-paid diesel oil for sale.

"In recent years, rigourous Customs crackdown have driven illegal filling stations to transform into this mode of operation. Many of these illicit facilities are operated on the ground floor of residential buildings and pose potential fire hazards to the public," the Divisional Commander of the Customs Diesel Oil Enforcement Division, Mr Lai Wai-hing, said today (June 20).

During the operation, Customs officers from the Diesel Oil Enforcement Division have investigated into 49 outlets. Of these outlets, 20 have been referred to FSD for follow-up investigations while six are handled by Customs. Besides, one of the outlets was suspected to have sold detreated oil while five suspectedly stored illicit motor spirit when raided.

A total of 7 200 litres of illicit oil was seized and 22 persons, aged between 25 and 46, were arrested.

The C&ED and FSD will continue to take rigorous enforcement actions against the illicit filling facilities.

From January to May this year, Customs officers smashed 373 illicit oil stations, a rise of 45 per cent from the number in the corresponding period last year.

Besides, they seized 370 000 litres of illicit oil in the first five months of this year, representing an increase of 16 per cent from the figure of last year.

In 2002, Customs neutralised 608 illicit oil stations and seized 660 000 litres of illicit oil.

Mr Lai appealed to members of the public to provide information on illicit use of diesel oil and fire hazards. Members of the public can provide the information by calling C&ED hotline 2545 6182 (24 hours) for illicit use of diesel oil, or FSD telephone 2723 8787 (24 hours) for fire hazards.

End/Friday, June 20, 2003

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