Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department (FSD) mounted a territory-wide special operation targeting illicit fuel activities over the past two weeks with an aim to cut off the sources and supply chains of illicit motor spirits and tackling the illicit fuel activities in the downtown area. During the operation, Customs officers detected four related cases, with approximately 5 900 litres of illicit motor spirit and five vehicles seized with an estimated market value over $1.4 million. Six persons were arrested.
      
     On September 15 and 16, Customs detected two cases of smuggling of illicit fuel using cross-boundary lorries with altered fuel tanks to smuggle motor spirit into Hong Kong through the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and the Lok Ma Chau Control Point respectively. Suspected altered structures were found in tractors of two cross-boundary lorries. Approximately 2 715 litres of unmanifested motor spirit were seized with arrest of two male drivers aged 41 and 61. The two tractors of the lorries were also detained.
      
     In addition, during the operation in downtown on September 17, Customs officers cracked down on a mobile illicit fueling station in a public car park in Tai Wai with 735 litres of illicit motor spirit and a batch of fueling equipment seized. A 31-year-old woman, believed to be the operator of the illegal fueling station, and a 44-year-old man who was coming for fueling, were arrested. Two private vehicles involved in the case were also detained. Moreover, Customs officers today (September 26) intercepted a suspicious lorry tractor parked at To Yuen Wai, Tuen Mun, with a hose connected from the vehicle into a nearby tin-sheet structure. Upon inspection, officers discovered the hose was linked to an oil tank inside the premises. Investigation revealed that the site was an illicit fuel storage and illicit fueling station. Approximately 2 450 litres of illicit motor spirit and a batch of fueling equipment were seized. A 48-year-old woman, believed to be the operator of the illegal fueling station, and a 58-year-old male lorry driver were arrested. The lorry tractor was also detained.
      
     The six arrestees are suspected of smuggling, dealing with or buying illicit fuel which violated various ordinance including the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO), Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Dangerous Goods Ordinance. Investigations are ongoing.
      
     Hong Kong Customs will continue to collaborate with the FSD in combating illicit fuel activities. Customs reminds cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers not to engage in any smuggling activities. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any vehicle found to have the fittings, fabric or structure being altered and used for smuggling purposes may be subject to forfeiture. Members of the public are also urged not to patronise illegal fueling stations. The use of illicit fuel is a criminal offence, and vehicles involved may be liable to confiscation.
     
     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     In addition, under the DCO, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit motor spirit commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public are urged to report suspected illegal fuel activities via the Customs' 24-hour hotline by 182 8080 or the FSD's 24-hour hotline by 2723 8787.

Ends/Friday, September 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:20

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