Customs officers from the Marine Enforcement Division seized about 50,000 kilograms of frozen chicken wings and chicken feet during an anti-smuggling operation yesterday (June 17).
While patrolling in the waters off Cheung Chau about 6.30pm, Customs officers intercepted and searched a fishing vessel destined for Wailingding on the Mainland. The officers found 1,665 cartons of frozen chicken wings and 1,198 packets of frozen chicken feet, worth $860,000.
The officers have detained a 57-year-old male master and a 39-year-old male crewman.
The master will be charged with exporting unmanifested cargoes and will appear in Eastern Magistrates' Court tomorrow (June 19).
Divisional Commander of the Customs Marine Enforcement Division Mr Kwok Yim-kwan said today (June 18), "This is the sixth case of smuggling of frozen chicken wings and chicken feet detected by Customs officers so far this year. From January 1, officers have seized a total of 96,168 kilograms of exported frozen chicken wings and chicken feet, worth $1.61 million.
"Hong Kong Customs is concerned about the trend and will continue to step up enforcement to crack down on such illicit activities," He noted.
In another development, Customs officers from the Container Terminal Division seized 252,464 kilograms of smuggled frozen chicken feet and chicken wings, valued at $579,181, from three import consignments from the United States at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal today (June 18).
Including today's seizures, Customs officers from the Container Terminal Division have seized a total of 469,840 kilograms smuggled imported frozen chicken wings, feet and kidneys so far this month. The total value of seizure amounted to $1.32 million.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, the maximum penalty for exporting or importing unmanifested cargoes is a fine of $2 million and seven years' imprisonment.
Ends/Friday, June 18, 2004