Hong Kong Customs and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) mounted a joint operation at the Man Kam To Control Point on March 25. More than 1 100 kilograms of suspected smuggled foodstuffs and poultry were seized.
Customs Officers on that day intercepted an incoming goods vehicle at the control point. After inspection, a batch of suspected unmanifested foodstuffs was found mix-loaded with other properly declared goods on board the vehicle. A batch of poultry without a relevant health certificate was also found in the driving compartment.
The batch of the suspected unmanifested foodstuffs, with an estimated market value of about $100,000, weighed about 1 100kg in total while the batch of poultry, with an estimated market value of about $600, weighed about 6kg in total. The poultry seized also came without health certificates issued by an issuing entity from the place of origin or obtaining prior permission in writing from the FEHD.
An investigation is ongoing. A 48-year-old male goods vehicle driver is assisting the investigation.
Customs reminds members of the public that 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.
According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations, any person who imports game, meat, poultry or eggs should produce a health certificate issued by an issuing entity from the place of origin or obtain prior permission in writing from the FEHD. Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Customs attaches importance to the safety risks associated with cross-boundary delivery of food and reminds members of the public to purchase food from reputable shops. Customs and the CFS will keep up close co-operation and intelligence exchanges, while joint operations will be conducted to combat illegal food import 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/Monday, March 27, 2023
