Hong Kong authorities have raided three illegal fuelling stations and arrested two men, seizing more than 1,800 litres (475.5 gallons) of petrol with an estimated market value of HK$54,000 (US$6,891) as oil prices continue to spike amid the widening conflict in the Middle East.

The joint crackdown by the Fire Services Department and the Customs and Excise Department in the past week also led to the detention of three vehicles and the arrest of a suspected station operator and customer.

“Recently, fuel prices in Hong Kong have continued to rise, giving criminals a stronger incentive to profit by selling cheaper untaxed fuel,” said Chong Sin-han, a senior investigator with customs’ revenue crimes investigation bureau.

Officers said on Wednesday that they confiscated about 1,830 litres of illegal petrol with a potential duty value of HK$11,000 over the past week.

In the latest operation on Wednesday afternoon, officers raided an illegal mobile station inside a car park at Lok Wah North Estate in Ngau Tau Kok, seizing about 400 litres of illicit petrol, fuelling equipment and two private cars.

A 39-year-old suspected operator and a 70-year-old driver believed to be a customer were arrested and both vehicles were detained.