Customs officers seized 9,720 kilograms of firecrackers and 5,112 kilograms of tobacco from a container at a container terminal in Kwai Chung on January 7. The seized goods were worth about $3.5 million.
The consignment, declared as 742 pieces of vehicle parts, was shipped to Hong Kong from Huangpu of the Mainland on January 5. Officers of the Ports and Maritime Control Command found a total of 9,720 kilograms of firecrackers and 5,112 kilograms of tobacco after examination. Investigation is still in progress.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance any person found guilty of importing unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
In addition, the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance also stipulates that smuggling of dutiable goods is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of HK$ 1,000,000 and two years' imprisonment.
Ends/Saturday, January 9, 2010
