Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 3) mounted an anti-smuggling operation and seized about 105 kilograms of suspected smuggled birds' nests with an estimated market value of about $3.5 million.
Customs officers intercepted an outgoing private car at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday afternoon and seized about 7kg of birds' nests on board the vehicle. The 42-year-old male driver was arrested and the private car was detained.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers further seized about 79kg and 19kg of birds' nests at an industrial building unit in Kwai Chung and a residential unit in Sham Shui Po respectively. A 47-year-old woman in the industrial building unit was arrested and a private car parked at the industrial building suspected to be involved in the case was also detained.
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.
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, April 4, 2019
