Hong Kong Customs on March 9 detected an illicit motor spirit case involving a fishing vessel in the waters off So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun, and seized 1 260 litres of suspcted illicit motor spirit. A man aged 75 was arrested.

     In the afternoon on March 9, Customs identified and intercepted a suspicious fishing vessel being towed with two sampans during a sea patrol in the northwest area of Hong Kong waters. The batch of illicit motor spirit, with an estimated market value of about $38,000 and a duty potential of about $7,600, was found on the three vessels upon search. The 75-year-old captain of the fishing vessel, suspected of violating the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), was arrested.

     Under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, 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 may report any illicit fuel activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:45

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