Customs officers yesterday (Oct 10) seized from a local fishing vessel 634,800 unmanifested VCDs, worth $12.7 million. The vessel was leaving for the Mainland.
Six Mainlanders, aged 31 to 47, including the captain and five crewmen, were arrested. They will be charged with "attempting to export unmanifested cargo" under Import and Export Ordinance.
At 11pm yesterday, Customs officers of Ports and Maritime Command intercepted a suspicious local fishing vessel in waters off Magazine Island.
They seized from concealed compartments in the engine room and crew space the smuggled VCDs.
Initial investigation showed that the VCDs, to be sold in Mainland market, were not counterfeits.
Divisional Commander (Marine Enforcement), Mr Lam Chi-Keung, today (October 11) stressed that Customs would continue vigorous enforcement against cross-boundary smuggling activities.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of "attempting to export unmanifested cargo" is liable on conviction to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. The vessel involved will be confiscated.
Ends/Thursday, October 11, 2007