The Hong Kong Government's warehouse for handling and storing hazardous materials was located within New Territories North District.
That area contained a considerable portion of Hong Kong Island's outlying countryside, with plenty of wooded hills and open wilderness.
If an accident really did occur, the danger could be kept to a minimum.
Most importantly, the Police Force's Mobile Unit Headquarters was stationed at Fanling Training Base in North New Territories.
In addition, a crucial force forming the last line of defense for Hong Kong Island's stability was deployed nearby.
After all, the allied forces' Shek Kong Camp was also located within North New Territories.
Under normal circumstances, the Mobile Unit of the Police Force was responsible for guarding the Hong Kong Government's Dangerous Goods Warehouse.
But if any truly destructive hazardous materials were brought into storage, even Shek Kong Camp would take part in guarding them.
Of course, that also required the Hong Kong Government to request assistance.
Without formal orders, the allied forces would not readily intervene in Hong Kong Island's internal affairs.
After Customs seized the arms-smuggling vessel, it neither requested assistance from the Police Force nor immediately reported the matter to the Security Bureau.
Under those circumstances, the allied forces naturally would not mobilize to help guard the North District Dangerous Goods Warehouse.
It had to be said that Customs' desire to keep all the credit for itself posed a very serious risk.
Although the Dangerous Goods Warehouse in North New Territories was usually guarded by the Mobile Unit,
Customs personnel were also entitled to move in if Customs required it.
If the Police Force had not received intelligence in time, given the Dangerous Goods Warehouse's normal readiness and Customs' limited manpower and weapons,
there really was a chance they could be caught off guard by an