Customs officers yesterday (March 10) foiled attempts by smugglers in two separate incidents.
At about 10.20am, Customs officers of the Chung Ying Street Control Post intercepted and searched a 29-year-old man delivering 13 carton of goods to Hong Kong through Chung Ying Street. They found 351 wallets bearing forged trademarks, valued at $35,100. The man was subsequently arrested.
Later at about 12.30pm, officers of the Sha Tau Kok Control Point intercepted and searched an outgoing lorry declared to be empty. They found 860 mobile phones, valued at $860,000, inside a hidden compartment underneath the vehicle. The officers arrested the 49-year-old male driver.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, anyone importing goods with false trade descriptions is liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $500,000 and five years' imprisonment.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, the maximum penalty for exporting unmanifested cargo is a fine of $2 million and an imprisonment for seven years.
Ends/Thursday, March 11, 2004