Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 20) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a case of suspected smuggling by speedboat in the waters off Siu Sai Wan. A batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods was seized, including used smartphones and used computer accessories, with an estimated market value of about $5 million.
Customs officers of the Marine Strike and Search Unit conducted an anti-smuggling operation in the southeast waters of Hong Kong yesterday evening and detected a suspicious speedboat in the waters off Chai Wan. The speedboat did not follow Customs officers' instructions to stop for inspection and speeded up to flee the scene. Subsequently, Customs officers intercepted the speedboat in the waters off Siu Sai Wan and seized the batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods.
In the operation, Customs officers arrested two men, aged 62 and 43, on board the speedboat. The speedboat was also detained for further 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/Thursday, March 21, 2019
