Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 20) seized about 1 500 tubes of suspected smuggled blood samples at the Man Kam To Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming goods vehicle at the control point yesterday. After inspection, the batch of suspected unmanifested blood samples was found inside two foam boxes among 550 boxes of declared goods on board the vehicle. The 58-year-old male driver is assisting the investigation while the suspected blood samples have been handed over to the Department of Health (DH) for follow-up.
Customs reminds members of the public that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
According to the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation, any person who imports any excreta, secretion, blood, or blood component, that the person has reason to suspect contains an infectious agent should obtain prior permission in writing from the DH. Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine of $5,000 and two months' imprisonment.
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, April 21, 2022
