Hong Kong Customs today (January 16) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in Yuen Long and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat. A batch of suspected smuggled goods, with an estimated market value of about $3 million, was seized.
Early this morning, Customs conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, and spotted a light goods vehicle heading towards a waterfront. Later, the vehicle's driver and several suspicious persons gathered at the waterfront were seen moving a batch of carton boxes from the vehicle onto a speedboat. Suspecting them of engaging in smuggling activities, Customs officers then took action and arrested the male driver of the light goods vehicle, whereas the other people immediately jumped onto the speedboat and fled to the Mainland waters.
A batch of suspected smuggled goods, including mobile phones, mobile phone parts, computer tablets, and computer RAM units, was seized on the ground nearby and inside the light goods vehicle.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested 63-year-old man is now being detained for further investigation.
Being a government department specifically responsible for tackling smuggling, Customs 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.
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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Tuesday, January 16, 2024
