Hong Kong Customs and Marine Police today (November 7) conducted an anti-smuggling joint-operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using fishing vessel in the Southeast waters of Hong Kong. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods including office equipment, musical instruments and sports gears with an estimated market value of about $700,000 were seized.
Officers from Customs Marine Joint Task Force, Marine Police Small Boat Division, Marine Police Regional Task Force and Marine Harbour Division spotted a suspicious fishing vessel in the Southeast waters of Hong Kong this morning and later intercepted the vessel off Ninepin Group. The batch of suspected smuggled goods were seized onboard the vessel.
In the operation, a 53-year-old male coxswain and a 44-year-old male crew member were arrested. The fishing vessel involved was also detained for further investigation.
Investigation is ongoing.
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.
Hong Kong Customs and Marine Police will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities.
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/Wednesday, November 7, 2018
