Man nabbed after over 4k litres of illicit fuel seized

A light goods vehicle driver was arrested in Aberdeen after authorities seized approximately 4,150 litres of suspected illicit fuel, as part of a cross-departmental operation that involved police, customs, and the Fire Services Department on Thursday. The untaxed fuel, with an estimated market value of HK$136,000, was found in a vehicle and a sampan.

Police senior inspector Kwan Ka-ki revealed that a syndicate with a triad background allegedly used sampans and rafts to store the illicit fuel at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter. About 1,800L of the fuel was discovered on the nearby vehicle, while 84 barrels were found in the sampan. The syndicate utilized vehicles to transport illicit fuel from other locations to the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market area, and then transferred it to the typhoon shelter using speedboats.

The suspect, a 34-year-old individual, faces prosecution for violating the Dangerous Goods Ordinance and the Dangerous Goods (Control) Regulation. Senior station officer Yeung Chun-wa from the Fire Services Department warned that the storage of such a large quantity of fuel near residential estates posed a significant risk of fire or explosion, which could result in severe injuries, casualties, and substantial financial losses. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests.