30,000 litres of illicit fuel seized in crackdown

Authorities have seized more than 30,000 litres of black-market fuel, and arrested nine people over a two-week crackdown against illicit fuelling activities across Hong Kong. Customs and the Fire Services Department mounted a joint operation between September 16 and 30, aiming to cut off the source and supply of illicit fuel, and combat related activities in urban areas. In one raid, customs officers stormed two illicit fuel storage sites in San Tin and Tuen Mun, seizing about 12,000 litres of duty-not-paid motor spirit, as well as vehicles and tools. The storage sites were believed to be transit points where criminals offloaded fuel smuggled from the mainland, before it was shipped to fuelling stations in Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Kam Tin, Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun. The fuel seized is worth an estimated HK$1.7 million. Authorities reminded residents that patronising illicit fuelling stations is a criminal offence, and vehicles involved could be confiscated. People are also urged to report suspected illicit fuel activities via the customs department's 24-hour hotline 182 8080, or the Fire Services Department's 24-hour hotline 5577 9666. Edited by Aaron Tam

2026-10-07 22:39:00