Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 12) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using a fishing vessel in the waters off Lamma Island. About 6 200 kilograms of frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $250,000 was seized.
Customs officers spotted a suspicious fishing vessel leaving Hong Kong yesterday evening. Officers then took immediate action and intercepted the fishing vessel for examination. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat was seized on board the vessel.
During the operation, Customs officers arrested two male crew members, aged 47 and 59.
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, June 13, 2019
