Hong Kong has started deploying drones to detect illegal refuelling stations in the city, with the Fire Services Department having seized diesel worth more than HK$6 million (US$772,362) in the past month during a crackdown on 23 locations.

Bradan Kwok Chi-kwan, divisional officer for dangerous goods enforcement, said the department introduced drones to help uncover illicit operations last month and conducted 41 flights.

“When our drone squad detects suspicious activity, it alerts task force members on the ground for prompt law enforcement at the site,” Kwok said.

The drone patrols helped break up five illegal stations, leading to 13 prosecutions.

They were part of a larger law enforcement initiative that resulted in 47 prosecutions over 23 illicit sites and the seizure of 220,000 litres of diesel worth HK$6 million.

Operation Oil Strike, which began last month, targeted illegal filling stations and mobile trucks in Kwun Tong, Yau Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi and Stonecutters Island.