​Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation codenamed "Clear Sky" from mid-April to mid-May and detected a smuggling case involving a river trade vessel and two smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected scheduled dried shark fins, suspected controlled medicines and used electronic products, with a total estimated market value of about $200 million was seized.
In the first case, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use a river trade vessel to smuggle goods to Macao in mid-April. Through intelligence exchange, Customs successfully identified four containers suspected to be used to carry smuggled goods. The four containers were originally scheduled to be shipped from Hong Kong to Macao, but were requested en route to be returned to Hong Kong. Customs officers then inspected the four containers upon their arrival in Hong Kong in early May and found about five tonnes of suspected scheduled dried shark fins and a batch of suspected controlled medicines in two of the containers. The estimated market value was about $21 million and $1 million respectively.
Later, Customs detected the second and third case in early May. Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods to Malaysia. Customs then formulated strategic enforcement operations. Two ocean-going vessels preparing to depart from Hong Kong to Klang, Malaysia, were successfully identified.
Customs officers identified for inspection 31 containers, declared as carrying copper, aluminium or plastic materials, on board the two vessels on May 3 and 10 and found inside 25 containers a large batch of suspected smuggled used electronic products, including set-top boxes, routers, servers, vehicle parts, and batteries. The total estimated market value was about $178 million.
After follow-up investigations, Customs officers arrested six persons, consisting of three men and three women aged between 33 and 53, suspected to be connected with the above-mentioned three cases.
Investigations are ongoing. The six arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs is the primary agency responsible for the suppression of smuggling activities and has all along been combating various smuggling activities proactively at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and 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. Moreover, any person who imports or exports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.
Under the Waste Disposal Ordinance, it is an offence for anyone to import or export hazardous waste without obtaining a valid permit beforehand. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.
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, May 19, 2023
