​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 26) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in Tung Chung and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat. A batch of suspected smuggled goods, with an estimated market value of about $4 million, was seized.
Early yesterday morning, Customs conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Ma Wan Chung, Tung Chung and spotted a light goods vehicle heading towards a waterfront. Later, several suspicious persons gathered at the waterfront were seen transferring the goods from the vehicle onto the speedboat. They were suspected of engaging in smuggling activities.
Customs officers immediately took action, and the above-mentioned persons swiftly jumped onto the speedboat and fled to the Mainland waters.
Later, Customs officers discovered another light goods vehicle which was loaded with goods in the same packing. It was suspected to be connected with the same smuggling activity.
A batch of suspected smuggled goods, including 24 carton boxes of frozen venison tails, 14 carton boxes of aquarium animals, and ten bags of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, was seized. Two light goods vehicles suspected to be connected with the case were also detained.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against cross-boundary smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
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.
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.
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/Saturday, January 27, 2024
