Hong Kong Customs today (June 27) mounted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat in the waters off Tung Chung. About 272 kilograms of suspected smuggled high-value food, with an estimated market value of about $540,000, was seized.
Customs recently conducted the detection through the Customs Radar Monitoring System and spotted some suspicious activities in the waters off Tung Chung. Subsequently, Customs officers mounted an anti-smuggling operation there during the small hours today and spotted a speedboat approaching the Tung Chung Development Ferry Pier with its navigation lights off. A light goods vehicle then arrived at the pier and a male driver together with five men in the speedboat immediately moved the goods from the vehicle onto the speedboat. They were suspected of participating in smuggling activities.
Customs officers immediately took action and the six men swiftly jumped onto the speedboat and fled to Mainland waters. During the operation, Customs officers seized a total of about 272kg in 16 cartons of suspected smuggled high-value food, including fresh abalone and chilled fish. The light goods vehicle suspected to be connected with the case was also detained.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs stressed that it will keep up its enforcement action and will continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with mounting targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to land a solid blow against relevant activities.
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.
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/Monday, June 27, 2022
