A cross-boundary driver was convicted and sentenced to 26 months' imprisonment today (October 17) at the District Court for smuggling electronic goods and plastic beads by lorry, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted an outgoing lorry at Lok Ma Chau Control Point on September 19, 2017. A batch of unmanifested electronic goods and plastic beads with an estimated market value of about $26 million was found in the cargo compartment. The 41-year-old male driver was then arrested.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, 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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, October 17, 2019