Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police conducted a joint-operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using speedboats in Lau Fau Shan on December 5. A batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods were seized, including 7 356 used smartphones, 264 used tablets, 1 825 used USB flash drives and 1 344 used portable wireless routers with an estimated market value of about $4 million.
Customs officers and the Marine Police conducted an anti-smuggling operation at Lau Fau Shan on December 5 and found several men at the seashore moving carton boxes from a light goods vehicle onto a speedboat. Customs officers and the Marine Police then took enforcement action and seized the batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods.
In the operation, Customs arrested a 56-year-old man. A light goods vehicle and two speedboats were also detained for further investigation.
Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
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.
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/Friday, December 7, 2018
