Hong Kong Customs early this morning (June 28) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the western waters of Hong Kong and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat. A batch of suspected smuggled frozen Wagyu beef with an estimated market value of about $1.4 million was seized.
Customs officers conducted an anti-smuggling operation in the waters near Tung Chung and spotted a suspicious speedboat heading towards the Tung Chung Public Pier with its navigation lights off in the early hours today. A light goods vehicle then arrived near the pier and the male driver, together with four men gathered at the pier, immediately moved the goods from the vehicle onto the speedboat. They were suspected of participating in smuggling activities. Customs officers swiftly took action and the five men jumped onto the speedboat and fled to Mainland waters immediately.
Customs officers then detained the light goods vehicle and seized 25 carton boxes of suspected smuggled frozen Wagyu beef therein.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs stressed that it will keep up its enforcement action and will continue to vigorously combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with mounting 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/Wednesday, June 28, 2023
