Fuel check: Customs officers inspect the fuel tanks of private coaches.

Customs officers have arrested 32 people and seized 16,500 litres of illicit oil in a four-day Hong Kong-wide operation ending today. The seizure amounted to $144,500 and carried a duty potential of about $68,000.

Part of the operation today saw officers check the fuel tanks of private coaches conveying passengers to Penny's Bay. During the raid, officers arrested 11 drivers and seized 700 litres of oil worth about $3,500 and carrying a duty potential of about $2,000.

At the retail level, officers shut down 20 illicit filling stations, arresting 14 operators and five buyers. They seized 14,000 litres of oil valued at $120,000 and carrying a duty potential of about $55,000.

On the distribution level, officers closed down an illicit oil storage centre at Pat Heung, Yuen Long, and arrested two men. They also impounded two vans and seized 1,800 litres of oil worth $21,000 and carrying duty potential of about $11,000.