Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 30) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using a fishing vessel in the waters off Waglan Island. About 200 000 kilograms of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $5.7 million were seized.
Customs officers of the Marine Enforcement Group spotted a suspicious fishing vessel leaving Hong Kong at high speed yesterday afternoon. Officers then took immediate action and intercepted the fishing vessel for examination. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat was seized on board the vessel.
During the operation, Customs officers arrested two male crew members, aged 53 and 39.
Investigation is ongoing.
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.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities.
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/Thursday, January 31, 2019
