Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police yesterday (November 26) conducted an anti-smuggling joint operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using a speedboat in the North Lantau waters of Hong Kong. Suspected smuggled goods including about 1 400 used mobile phones, about 100 used tablets, about 160 kilograms of wood logs and about 900 live frogs with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million were seized.
Officers from Customs and the Marine Police spotted several suspicious men moving cartons of goods from a private car to a speedboat near Tung Chung yesterday evening. Officers then took immediate action and the men fled in the speedboat.
During the operation, the batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized and a private car 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 the 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/Tuesday, November 27, 2018
