Hong Kong Customs foiled a suspected smuggling attempt by an outgoing river trade vessel on December 11, seizing $68 million worth of unmanifested goods, including high-value electronic parts.
Customs officers of the Syndicate Crimes Investigation Bureau and the Ports and Maritime Command conducted an anti-smuggling operation earlier in the western waters of Hong Kong. With a sector-patrol launch, Customs officers intercepted an outgoing river trade vessel off Black Point, Tuen Mun, and escorted it to the Customs Cargo Examination Complex at the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun for examination.
Upon searching two 40-foot containers declared to contain plastic pellets, Customs officers found a large batch of unmanifested cargoes, including 82 000 hard disks, 990 000 electronic parts, 140 000 mobile phones, 77 000 memory sticks, 25 million integrated circuits, 54 000 display panels, 240 digital cameras and lenses, and 480 tablet computers. The total value of the seizure was estimated at $68 million. These goods were camouflaged with plastic pellets. The investigation is continuing.
A Customs spokesman said today (December 15), "Smuggling is a serious offence. Customs will continue to crack down on any smuggling activities."
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Ends/Monday, December 15, 2014
