Joint Operation Flow Stopper Targets Illicit Fueling in Hong Kong, Seizes 1,600 Liters of Illegal Fuel

FSD mounts joint operation with Hong Kong Customs and Police against illicit fueling activities and holds special meeting with oil industry to strengthen intelligence collection and combat strategies

The Fire Services Department (FSD), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Customs (Customs) and the Hong Kong Police Force (Police), launched a joint operation codenamed "Flow Stopper" today (February 13), specifically targeting on blackspots of illicit fueling activities in urban areas for a focused crackdown with a view to curbing the spread of such activities in densely populated areas and ensuring public safety.

During the operation, the FSD officers deployed unmanned aircraft systems for aerial surveillance and successfully detected seven concealed blackspots. The law enforcement officers smashed two cases in total, including one mobile illegal petrol fueling station on Hoi Fai Road in Tai Kwok Tsui and one illegal diesel fueling station on Wang Kwong Road in Kowloon Bay. About 600 litres of suspected illicit motor spirit and 1 000 litres of diesel were seized, along with a large batch of fueling equipment. The persons suspected to be connected with the cases included two persons who were believed to be the persons-in-charge of the illegal fueling stations and a man who was patronising a station. They were suspected of violating the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation, the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (DGO) and the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO). Besides, two vehicles suspected of being used as illicit fueling stations and one vehicle patronising for fueling were also seized. Investigation is underway.

In addition, to further enhance strategies for combating illicit fueling activities, the FSD invited government departments such as Customs and the Police, as well as representatives from the oil industry, to a special meeting today to conduct in-depth discussion on intelligence for illicit fueling activities, and the operational tactics for preventing and controlling fuel supply at the source. During the meeting, representatives from the oil industry shared the current models and operational procedures of fuel supply. Focused discussions on enhanced monitoring measures for dangerous goods vehicles collecting fuel at oil depots were also held. These measures include requiring those collecting fuel to provide details and destinations of fuel usage, as well as exploring the possibility of submitting inventory and sales records to relevant enforcement departments for supporting more precise enforcement.

The FSD has all along been committed to combating various kinds of illicit fueling activities. The department urges members of the public not to patronise illegal fueling stations. As these stations lack the proper fire service installations and equipment dedicated for fueling stations, the consequences could be catastrophic in the event of a fire.

Under the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation, it is an offence to possess or control any controlled substance for the business purpose of transferring it into vehicle fuel tanks. The DGO 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.

According to the DCO, 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.

The law enforcement departments will continue to spare no efforts in combating illicit fueling activities by strengthening interdepartmental collaboration and enhancing technology-based enforcement (such as drone patrols). Members of the public who encounter suspected illegal fueling activities may call the FSD's 24-hour hotline at 5577 9666, or report via the Illicit Fuelling Activities on the Fire Hazard Electronic Complaint Portal of the FSD (fhcp.hkfsd.gov.hk).

The Fire Services Department today (February 13) invited government departments such as the Hong Kong Customs and the Hong Kong Police Force, as well as representatives from the oil industry, to a special meeting to conduct in-depth discussion on intelligence for illicit fueling activities, and the operational tactics for preventing and controlling fuel supply at the source. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Fire Services Department (FSD), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Customs and the Hong Kong Police Force, launched a joint operation codenamed "Flow Stopper" today (February 13), specifically targeting on blackspots of illicit fueling activities in urban areas for a focused crackdown. Photo shows some vehicles seized and detained during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Fire Services Department, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Customs and the Hong Kong Police Force, launched a joint operation codenamed "Flow Stopper" today (February 13), specifically targeting on blackspots of illicit fueling activities in urban areas for a focused crackdown. Photo shows an arrested person in the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Fire Services Department, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Customs and the Hong Kong Police Force, launched a joint operation codenamed "Flow Stopper" today (February 13), specifically targeting on blackspots of illicit fueling activities in urban areas for a focused crackdown. Photo shows some illegal fuel seized during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Fire Services Department, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Customs and the Hong Kong Police Force, launched a joint operation codenamed "Flow Stopper" today (February 13), specifically targeting on blackspots of illicit fueling activities in urban areas for a focused crackdown. Photo shows the law enforcement officers collecting evidence during the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

9.1%

1.4

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

6.7%

1.5

Tai Po

Tai Po East

2.2%

2.0

Tai Po West

15.5%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

9.1%

1.4

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

16.8%

1.3

Eastern

Chai Wan

15.4%

1.0

North Point and Quarry Bay

18.9%

1.4

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

20.8%

1.7

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

18.3%

1.4

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.9%

2.3

The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases