​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 13) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the south-western waters of Hong Kong and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a cargo vessel. About 35 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $5.2 million were seized.
Customs officers conducted an anti-smuggling operation during the small hours yesterday and spotted a suspicious cargo vessel in the waters off Fan Lau in the south-west of Lantau Island. The officers immediately took action and intercepted the cargo vessel. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat was seized on board the vessel.
During the operation, five men aged between 38 and 57, suspected to be connected to the case, were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing and all arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs stresses that it will keep up its enforcement action and will continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with mounting targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to land a solid blow against relevant activities.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, January 14, 2022
