With the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China around the corner, and also the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party set to be held on October 16, Hong Kong Customs has mounted a comprehensive enforcement operation codenamed "Bullseye II" since September 12 to perform gatekeeping work at sea, land and air boundaries with a view to combating the smuggling of controlled and prohibited items into Hong Kong or transshipment to the Mainland via Hong Kong.
Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers have strengthened risk assessment, tactical planning, patrols and inspections of incoming and outgoing travellers and cargo consignments at all control points with the application of advanced equipment and facilities.
Moreover, Customs also stepped up intelligence exchange and mounted joint operations with the Mainland and local law enforcement agencies to prevent items endangering national security, including firearms, ammunition, weapons and explosives, from entering Hong Kong or being transshipped to the Mainland via Hong Kong.
To further enhance the enforcement effectiveness, explosive detector dogs and firearm detector dogs have also been deployed to various customs clearance points to assist in combating the smuggling of firearms, firearm component parts, ammunition and explosives into Hong Kong for the sake of protecting the lives and property of citizens as well as safeguarding national security.
From January to August this year, Customs has detected 27 cases involving weapons, firearms and ammunition with seizures of about 3 300 pieces of related items with an estimated market value of about $1.4 million.
Customs will continue to perform its gatekeeping role in preventing the import and export of controlled and prohibited items into and out of Hong Kong, with a view to prohibiting acts that endanger Hong Kong and national security.
Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2022
