The Customs and Excise Department and the Marine Police yesterday (June 26) jointly conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Sai Kung and smashed a speedboat smuggling case. In the operation, a total of 208 kilograms of pangolin scales, 11kg of bird's nest, 1,600 computer hard disks, 7,350 mobile phones with accessories and a light goods vehicle with a total estimated value of about $4.7 million were seized.
At about 8pm last night, Customs officers, while conducting an anti-smuggling patrol in Sai Kung, found seven men unloading goods from a light goods vehicle onto a high-powered speedboat on the beach of Sheung Sze Wan in Sai Kung. The officers took action and seized the batch of goods at scene.
The suspects immediately fled with the speedboat and a Police launch gave chase to it before it passed the Hong Kong boundary from the east of Tai Long Tsui.
Customs officers seized the light goods vehicle at the scene and 34 boxes of goods on board. No arrest was made in the operation.
A Customs spokesman said today (June 27) that the department would continue to take stringent enforcement action with the Marine Police to combat sea smuggling activities.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of exporting unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Ends/Wednesday, June 27 2012
