Hong Kong Authorities Seize 5,600 Liters of Illicit Fuel in Major Anti-Smuggling Operation

Hong Kong Customs, FSD and HKPF mount joint operation against illicit fuel storage site and illegal fuelling station

Hong Kong Customs, the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) mounted an anti-illicit fuel joint operation yesterday (March 19) and detected an illicit fuel storage case and an illegal fuelling station case in Sheung Shui and Yuen Long respectively. A total of about 5 600 litres of illicit motor spirit, with an estimated market value of over $160,000 and a duty potential of about $34,000, and a batch of fuelling tools were seized.

According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, 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, 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 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.

Customs will continue to collaborate with the FSD and the HKPF in combating illicit fuel activities and arranging surprise inspections against blackspots of illicit fuel activities. The FSD will also report suspected breach of the land lease governing the site identified to the relevant department for follow-up action. Members of the public are urged not to patronise illegal fuelling stations. As these illegal fuelling stations lack the proper fire-safety installations and equipment used for fuelling stations, the consequences could be catastrophic in the event of a fire.

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

Hong Kong Customs, the Fire Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force mounted an anti-illicit fuel joint operation yesterday (March 19). Photo shows the motor spirit containers seized in an illegal fuelling station shut down in Yuen Long. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs, the Fire Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force mounted an anti-illicit fuel joint operation yesterday (March 19). Photo shows an illegal fuelling station shut down in Yuen Long. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs, the Fire Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force mounted an anti-illicit fuel joint operation yesterday (March 19). Photo shows an illicit fuel storage site shut down in Sheung Shui. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs, the Fire Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force mounted an anti-illicit fuel joint operation yesterday (March 19). Photo shows the motor spirit containers seized in an illicit fuel storage site shut down in Sheung Shui. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.3 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 20) detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 7 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million.

A female passenger, aged 39, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds in her carry-on baggage. The woman was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.3 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases