Buying and selling of illicit fuel 'not rampant'

Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat on Saturday said that current regulatory prohibitions against fuel smuggling and penalties are sufficient to deter any surge in crime that may result from the high oil prices caused by the current Middle East stand-off. His comments came after his department, in joint operations with the Fire Services Department and the police, carried out 18 raids on illegal fuelling stations and suspects engaged in illegal fuel transfers in the first three months of the year. The raids resulted in the arrest of 14 people and the seizure of 8 vehicles. Chan said such crimes were not "rampant" at the moment and that most illegal fuel stations operated in the rural parts of the SAR. "The offenders are not only subject to criminal sanctions, including prosecution," he said after appearing on a radio programme. "Connected vehicles will be seized, and we will apply to the courts for the confiscation of those vehicles. "Buying illicit fuel, which is a dutiable commodity, is a criminal offence in Hong Kong. "They will be subject to criminal prosecution... they may also be subject to prison sentences." Chan also said strengthening public awareness of the offence of buying illicit fuel was of utmost importance. Last month, Security Minister Chris Tang said officials were studying tougher penalties for those purchasing illegal fuel. Edited by Robert Kemp