Hong Kong police seize 1,600 litres of diesel, arrest 1 in raid of illegal fuel site

Hong Kong authorities seized 1,600 litres of diesel, worth HK$50,000 from an illegal fuel station.

Photo: Fire Service Department Hong Kong authorities seized 1,600 litres (423 gallons) of diesel from an illegal fuel station in Sai Wan on Saturday as part of a continuing crackdown on illicit fuel sales, amid rising oil prices driven by conflicts in the Middle East.

Officers from the Fire Services Department and police raided the site Fung Mat Road, recovering diesel worth HK$50,000 (US$6,383) and confiscating fuelling equipment.

A man was arrested at the scene for alleged violations of fire hazard abatement and dangerous goods regulations.

Authorities said he will be prosecuted.

On Thursday and Friday, enforcement teams had already arrested another man and seized more than 8,000 litres of illicit petrol and diesel valued at HK$250,000 at Container Port Road South and Kwai Wo Street in Kwai Chung.

The Container Port Road South site was near the scene of a suspected illegal fuel-truck fire on March 17, when a vehicle carrying up to 2,000 litres of black-market fuel burst into flames.

No injuries were reported, but police are seeking the female owner of the vehicle in connection with that case.

Global fuel prices have surged since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran in late February, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a key passageway for Middle East oil and gas trade.

原文链接: 南华早报