Hong Kong Customs yesterday evening (August 3) cracked a suspected oil smuggling case and seized about 50,000 litres of marked oil worth about $270,000 in a fishing vessel during a sea patrol conducted off Tap Shek Kok, Tuen Mun. In the operation, Customs officers detained the Hong Kong fishing vessel for investigation and arrested two Hong Kong men, aged 41 and 44.
Customs officers of the Marine Enforcement Group were conducting a patrol against smuggling activities in the western waters and intercepted for search an outgoing Hong Kong fishing vessel destined for the Mainland. The officers found about 50,000 litres of marked oil in the vessel's fuel tank. The coxswain in charge of the vessel could not produce any export manifests to cover the seized goods. He and a crewman on board the vessel were detained for investigation.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Customs will continue to take action against smuggling activities. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected smuggling activities through the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Wednesday, August 4, 2010
