Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police yesterday (May 9) conducted an anti-smuggling joint-operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using speedboats in Chek Lap Kok. A batch of suspected smuggled goods including hard disks, bird's nest and raw amber rock with an estimated market value of $2.4 million was seized.
Officers from Customs and the Marine Police spotted several suspicious men moving cartons of goods from a private car to two speedboats at the seashore of Chek Lap Kok yesterday evening. Officers then took immediate action and the men fled in the speedboats.
During the operation, the batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized and a private car involved 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 and the Marine Police 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/Friday, May 10, 2019
