Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected controlled items and suspected counterfeit goods worth about $6.3 million (with photos)

13 Jul 2022

Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products (ASPs), as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million.

Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day intercepted an incoming truck at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized the batch of goods on board the truck. The 49-year-old male driver was then arrested.

An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Smuggling and drug trafficking are serious offences. 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. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Possession of prohibited weapons is also illegal. Under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, any person found guilty of possession of arms without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 14 years. Under the Weapons Ordinance, any person found guilty of possessing any prohibited weapon is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Moreover, importing ASPs or counterfeit goods is also an offence. Under the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, any person who imports, promotes, manufactures, sells or possesses for commercial purposes ASPs, including electronic cigarette products, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes and any related devices, parts and accessories, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the above-mentioned ordinances to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). They may call the Department of Health at 2961 8823 for further enquiries and complaints relating to ASPs.

Ends/Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Photo​Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected synthetic cathinone seized.Photo​Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected synthetic cathinone seized.Photo​Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected synthetic cathinone seized.
​Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected prohibited weapons seized.​Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected prohibited weapons seized.​Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected prohibited weapons seized.
Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products (ASPs), as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected ASPs seized.Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products (ASPs), as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected ASPs seized.Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products (ASPs), as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected ASPs seized.
Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected counterfeit goods seized.Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected counterfeit goods seized.Hong Kong Customs on July 11 seized a batch of suspected controlled items, including about 44.2 kilograms of suspected synthetic cathinone (bath salts), about 1 300 suspected prohibited weapons and about 10 000 suspected alternative smoking products, as well as about 580 items of suspected counterfeit goods, at Shenzhen Bay Control Point. The total estimated market value was about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected counterfeit goods seized.
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