The Customs and Excise Department this morning (November 11) seized a large batch of electronic products and four speedboats, worth about $3.2 million, in an anti-smuggling operation in Tolo Channel and arrested three men aged between 44 and 55.
The department had recently received intelligence about smuggling of high-valued electronic products from a pier in Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po. After investigation, it was found that suspected smugglers conveyed high-valued electronic products to Sam Mun Tsai pier by a lorry late at night and then to a fish farm off Shuen Wan Typhoon Shelter using a speedboat. The goods were later transferred to another three speedboats which would leave Tolo Harbour to Nanao in early morning.
More than 40 officers from Customs Special Task Force and Ports and Marine Enforcement Group this morning mounted a joint anti-smuggling operation in Tolo Channel.
Three Customs High Speed Pursuit Crafts intercepted the three speedboats trying to leave Tolo Channel. A batch of electronic products including used mobile phones, mobile phone motherboards, closed-circuit television cameras, USB wifi routers, central processing units, digital cameras and microchips worth about $3 million was seized on board the speedboats.
Three crew members of the speedboats were arrested in the operation and another speedboats which was believed to have been used for conveying the goods to the three speedboats was later found in Shuen Wan Typhoon Shelter.
Customs investigation is continuing to locate persons in connection with the case.
The Customs will continue to take stringent actions against smuggling activities. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for seven years and a fine of $2 million.
Members of the public are urged to report to the Customs Hotline 2545 6182 any suspected smuggling activities.
Ends/Thursday, November 11, 2010
