Customs officers have shut down an illicit oil syndicate in the New Territories, seizing $28,000-worth of oil and arresting eight men.

A Customs operation was mounted in Ma On Shan, Sha Tin and Tai Po today, and three oil tankers, 3,300 litres of detreated oil and 2,000 litres of marked oil was seized. The syndicate converted oil tankers into mobile detreating plants to sell illicit fuel.

Eight men aged 25 to 51 were arrested. They included two oil tanker drivers, believed to be the syndicate masterminds, and six lorry drivers. They will be charged with dealing with or possessing dutiable goods.