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The Customs and Excise Department and the oil industry today (September 22) signed an agreement to renew the Oil Industry Reward Scheme for another year with effect from October 1, 2005.
The scheme is financed by six companies, Caltex Oil Hong Kong Ltd, China Resources Petrochems (Group) Co Ltd, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Ltd, Shell Hong Kong Ltd, Chinaoil (Hong Kong) Corporation Ltd and Sinopec (Hong Kong) Ltd. The last two companies have joined the scheme for the first time.
The scheme was launched in April 1, 1996 to encourage the public to provide information on illicit fuel activities.
Under the scheme, the oil industry will contribute a total of $1 million annually to pay for rewards to people who provide information leading to the seizure and forfeiture of illicit fuel. Higher rewards may be paid for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved under specific circumstances. The rewards can range from $3,000 to a maximum of $160,000 for each case.
A Customs spokesman said today that the scheme reflected the full cooperation and the determination of the oil industry and the department to stamp out illicit fuel activities.
Since October 1, 2004, rewards totalling $126,000 have been paid for information in eight cases, leading to the arrest of 13 people and the seizure of 145,400 litres of illicit fuel.
The spokesman appealed to members of the public to provide information to assist its continuous enforcement actions against illicit fuel.
Information can be given to the Department:
(1) by telephone 2545 6182 (24 hours);
(2) by fax 2543 4942;
(3) by letter to the Customs and Excise Department, GPO Box 1166; or
(4) in person.
Ends/Thursday, September 22, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:02
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