Police arrested three people on Wednesday on suspicion of being involved in illicit fuel activity in Kwai Tsing district.

Police seized about 1,600 litres of gasoline, with a suspected market value of HK$50,000, at a suspected illicit fuel station near Kwai Tai Road.

At a press briefing on Thursday, officers said two of the suspects were loading fuel into a private vehicle when police carried out their raid, while the third arrestee allegedly helped with operations at the facility.

One reportedly entered Hong Kong on a two-way permit from the mainland and police suspect that this person was an overstayer.

Chief Inspector Koo Man-kai called on residents not to use illicit fuel.

"According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, both buying and selling illicit fuel is a serious crime. Offenders are subject to two years' imprisonment and a HK$1 million fine upon conviction, and the vehicle involved will be confiscated," he said.

The operation unfolded after a fire broke out on Tuesday night due to suspected illicit fuel activity at an industrial building in the district.

The Fire Services Department received reports of the blaze at around 10.30pm, and deployed two hoses and two breathing apparatus teams to handle the incident at Kwai Tak Industrial Centre.

It said the fire started from an oil tank which spread to a light goods vehicle as well as the building's exterior walls.

Firefighters carried out an investigation afterwards and believed the site was used as an illicit fuel station after finding traces of flammable materials and burnt marks, and reviewing surveillance camera footage.

The department said it is actively pushing for relevant legislative amendments, which includes higher penalties, expanding the legal liability to include buyers of fuel, and strengthening enforcement powers.

Public consultation regarding the suggestions will continue until June 25.



Edited by Tony Sabine