The Customs and Excise Department and the Marine Police yesterday (October 26) jointly conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Lung Kwu Sheung Tan, Tuen Mun and smashed a seafood smuggling case. In the operation, a total of 1 471 kilogrammes of seafood, including lobsters and geoducks with a total value of about $560,000 and a lorry were seized.
At about 8pm last night, Customs officers of Marine Enforcement Group together with Marine Police officers of Small Boat Division, while conducting an anti-smuggling patrol in Lung Kwu Sheung Tan, found three men unloading some carton boxes from a lorry onto a high-powered speedboat berthed there. Officers took immediate action and seized the batch of goods at scene.
The three suspects immediately fled with the speedboat and a Police launch gave chase to them. The speedboat eventually got rid of Police apprehension and exited Hong Kong waters in high speed towards Shekhau, Mainland.
Subsequently, the officers seized one lorry and 70 cartons of seafood, including lobsters and geoducks at scene. No arrest was made in the operation.
A Customs spokesman said today (October 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/Saturday, October 27 2012
