Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 18) seized 515 kilograms of silver slab valued at $4.42 million on board a private car arriving in Hong Kong at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and arrested two persons. This is the largest smuggling case of silver slabs detected at the land boundary control points in the recent 12 months.
About 4pm yesterday, Customs officers mounted an anti-smuggling operation at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and intercepted an incoming private car declaring no cargo on board for search. As a result, Customs officers found 11 nylon bags containing 33 silver slabs being placed on the floor between the middle and rear passenger seats of the vehicle. The 49-year-old male driver and 44-year-old female passenger were immediately arrested for committing a suspected offence of "importing unmanifested cargo" under the Import and Export Ordinance. The investigation is continuing.
With the approach of the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement against smuggling activities at control points.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Saturday, January 19 2013
