*********************************************************

Customs officers from the Diesel Oil Enforcement Division smashed an illicit oil detreating plant at Deep Bay Road in Lau Fau Shan this morning (October 14).

Following extensive investigations and close surveillance, the officers raided an illicit oil detreating plant and seized about 17,000 litres of detreated oil, an oil tanker, a private car, worth a total of about $450,000. The illicit oil carried a duty potential of about $50,000.

In addition, Customs officers found six fuel-detreating filters and two huge metal tanks for storing illicit oil.

Four men, aged 29 to 46, were arrested.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today that the detreating plant usually operated around midnight in a bid to evade Customs detection.

He believed that the detreated oil was for supply to illicit oil filling stations in the New Territories.

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

Drivers convicted twice in connection with illicit oil offences will have their driving licence suspended for six months. Those convicted three times or more will have their driving licence suspended for more than six months.

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

Ends/Tuesday, October 14, 2003

NNNN