Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 5) smashed a suspected smuggling case at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 88 smartphones valued at about $490,000 in an outbound seven-seater private car with the arrest of a 36-year-old man.
Customs officers intercepted an outbound seven-seater private car during an anti-smuggling operation at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday afternoon. Suspected irregularities were detected inside the vehicle compartment and upon further inspection, a batch of smartphones was found in a false compartment within the drawer facing the front passenger seat of the private car. The 36-year-old male driver was arrested for a suspected attempt to export unmanifested cargo. He was put on police bail pending follow-up investigation.
A Customs spokesperson today (June 6) said that the department will continue to carry out stringent enforcement against smuggling activities at control points through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, the maximum penalty respectively for attempting to import/export unmanifested cargo is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Friday, June 6, 2014
