Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 25) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using a fishing vessel in the waters off Shek Ngau Chau. Suspected smuggled goods including about 100 kilograms of suspected smuggled dried shark fins, 1,175kg of geoduck clams, 453kg of frozen grouper and 18kg of coral fishes with an estimated market value of about $680,000 were seized.
Customs officers of the Marine Enforcement Group spotted a suspicious fishing vessel leaving Hong Kong yesterday evening. Customs officers then took immediate action and intercepted the fishing vessel for examination. The batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized on board the vessel.
During the operation, Customs officers arrested two male crew members, aged 85 and 38, and seized the fishing vessel for investigation.
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/Tuesday, February 26, 2019
