The Customs and Excise Department and the oil industry today (September 28) signed an agreement to renew the Oil Industry Reward Scheme for another year with effect from October 1.
The Oil Industry Reward Scheme - financed by Caltex Oil Hong Kong Ltd, China Resources Petrochems (Group) Co., Ltd, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Ltd and Shell Hong Kong Ltd - was first launched on April 1, 1996, to encourage people to provide information on illicit fuel activities.
Under the scheme, the four oil companies will contribute a total of $1 million to pay rewards ranging from $3,000 to $160,000 for each case to any person who provides information leading to the seizure and forfeiture of illicit fuel and conviction of those involved.
A Customs spokesman said today (September 28) that the Oil Industry Reward Scheme had been effective in assisting the department combat illicit fuel activities."
Since October 1, 2003, reward of $114,000 has been paid for information in eight cases leading to the arrest of 16 people and the seizure of 476,610 litres of illicit fuel.
The spokesman appealed to members of the public to provide information to assist its rigorous enforcement actions against illicit fuel.
Information can be given to the Department:
Ends/Tuesday, September 28, 2004