Hong Kong Customs mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the New Territories yesterday (April 11) and seized a quantity of suspected smuggled high-value products including bird's nest, shark fin, red wine and mobile phone screens, with an estimated market value of over $30 million.
Customs officers intercepted two outgoing private cars at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday morning and found batches of bird's nest and red wine on board. Subsequently, Customs officers searched a cargo yard in Yuen Long and a unit in an industrial building in Fanling where bird's nest, shark fin, red wine, mobile phone screens and bulk packing tools and materials were also seized.
Customs seized about 235 kilograms of bird's nest, 65 kilograms of shark fin, 400 bottles of red wine and 41 000 mobile phone screens during the operation. Nine men and two women aged 27 to 50 were arrested. Six vehicles are also being 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 the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Wednesday, April 12, 2017
