Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department (FSD) mounted a territory-wide joint operation codenamed "Knockout" targeting illicit fuel activities from September 16 to 30, aiming to cut off the source and supply of illicit fuel and tackle illegal fuelling activities in downtown areas. Officers of Customs and the FSD detected seven related cases, and seized more than 30 000 litres of illicit fuel and eight vehicles with an estimated market value of about $1.7 million. Nine persons were arrested.

     During the operation, Customs strengthened enforcement against the source and supply of illicit fuel. Customs officers raided two illicit motor spirit storage sites in San Tin and Tuen Mun, seizing about 12 000 litres of duty-not-paid motor spirit, one tractor, two private cars, a large number of jerry cans, intermediate bulk containers and fuelling tools with one male driver arrested. The storage sites were believed to be transit points for illicit motor spirit. Criminals smuggled and off-loaded duty-not-paid motor spirit to these storage sites with cross-border vehicles, and subsequently transported the duty-not-paid fuel with private cars to illegal fuelling stations in downtown areas.

     In addition, officers of Customs and the FSD also dismantled five illegal fuelling stations in Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Kam Tin, Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun. About 4 000 litres of duty-not-paid motor spirit, 14 000 litres of diesel, four private cars and one light goods vehicle were seized. Eight persons were arrested, including the operators and customers of illegal fuelling stations.

     Investigations are ongoing. Customs will continue to collaborate with the FSD in combating illicit fuel activities. Members of the public are also urged not to patronise illicit fuelling stations. The use of illicit fuel is a criminal offence, and vehicles involved may be liable to confiscation.

     According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any vehicle found conveying illicit motor spirit, as well as any tools, equipment, or articles used or intended to be used in connection with the commission of related offences, shall be liable to forfeiture whether or not any person is convicted of any offence. 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.

     Under the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation (Cap. 95F), it is an offence to possess or control any controlled substance for the business purpose of transferring it into vehicle fuel tanks. The Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) also provides that no person shall manufacture, store, convey or use any dangerous goods unless they possess a licence or exemption granted. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty for the first offence is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for six months. For each subsequent offence, the maximum penalty is a $200,000 fine and imprisonment for one year.

     Moreover, Customs reminds cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers not to engage in any smuggling activities. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) (Cap. 60), any person who alters the fittings, fabric or structure, or makes use of the altered fittings, fabric or structure, of any vehicle for the purpose of smuggling commits an offence. The vehicle may also be subject to forfeiture. 

     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.

     Members of the public are urged to report suspected illicit fuel activities via the Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or the FSD's 24-hour hotline 5577 9666. The public may also report through the Illicit Fuelling Activities on the Fire Hazard Electronic Complaint Portal of the FSD (fhcp.hkfsd.gov.hk).

Ends/Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:20

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