Twenty-seven people have been arrested in a citywide joint operation targeting illicit fuel activities.

During the operation in April, codenamed Knockout, police, customs and fire officers seized 15 vehicles and one speed boat.

They also seized more than 21,000 litres of illicit fuel – including about 8,000 litres of petrol and 13,000 litres of diesel – with a total estimated value of about HK$3.3 million.

Among the arrestees, 10 allegedly operated illegal fuel stations and six were suspected of patronising such stations, with the rest being cross-boundary vehicle drivers and crew members.

Divisional commander Lenon Cheung, from the Customs’ Revenue Crimes Investigation Bureau, said on Wednesday that the illicit fuel was mainly from the mainland, as fuel costs there are at least 50 percent cheaper than in Hong Kong.

"Based on the information we have, the fixed illegal fuel stations were mainly located in remote and rural areas in the New Territories," he said.

"Our investigation showed the customers patronised these illegal fuel stations [after learning about them] via online platforms or through recommendations from friends."

Officers also found mobile illegal fuel stations in city centres including an outdoor car park in Kowloon Bay, which senior station officer Yeung Chun-wa from the Fire Services Department’s Anti-illicit Fuelling Activities Task Force said criminals had used trucks as undercover.

“These fuelling stations did not install fire service equipment that they were supposed to have, and it also lacked proper management," he said.

"The outdoor car park is located next to a viaduct, and there are many residential and commercial buildings nearby. If there’s a leakage, fire or even an explosion, it can bring extremely serious injuries and death, as well as property damage.”

Members of the public are urged not to patronise illegal fuel stations, as they face a criminal record and liability, as well as risk damage to their vehicles.


Edited by Tony Sabine