Aberdeen fuel raid nets 4,150 litres, one arrest
On.cc · 6 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Police, Customs and the Fire Services Department said a joint operation in Aberdeen dismantled a suspected illicit marine fuel supply chain and led to the seizure of about 4,150 litres of suspected duty-unpaid petrol. A 34-year-old truck driver was arrested, and officers said the fuel was allegedly being moved from the Aberdeen Fish Market area to boats in Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.
Key Points
- The joint operation, code-named "Guard Gate", was launched on 27 August after intelligence suggested a triad-linked group was moving and transferring illicit fuel in Aberdeen.
- Investigators said vans and trucks carried suspected duty-unpaid petrol to piers near Aberdeen Fish Market, where speedboats moved it to small craft in the typhoon shelter.
- Officers seized a truck and a sampan, recovering about 4,150 litres of suspected illicit petrol valued at about HK$136,000, with dutiable value about HK$25,000.
- A 34-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of handling illicit fuel and breaching the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and Dangerous Goods Ordinance, and authorities said he will be prosecuted.
- New details said about 1,800 litres were found on the truck, while Customs later found 84 drums of suspected duty-unpaid petrol on a sampan in Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.
Why It Matters
Officials said the suspected operation posed a serious fire and explosion risk because the site was close to residential buildings and the vehicle lacked required dangerous-goods fire-fighting equipment, while the containers also failed regulatory standards. Authorities said the case remains under investigation and further arrests are possible as they seek to cut off fuel supplies linked to smuggling boats and related criminal income.