Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police yesterday (February 20) mounted a joint operation and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat in Sai Kung. A total of 15 carton boxes of suspected smuggled goods, including tablet computers and skin care products with an estimated value of around $1.6 million, were seized.
Customs and police officers conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Sai Kung and spotted several suspicious men moving a number of carton boxes from a private vehicle to a speedboat at a seashore last night. The men were suspected of participating in smuggling activities. Law enforcement officers swiftly took action and the men concerned jumped onto the speedboat and fled immediately.
During the operation, Customs officers detained the private vehicle involved with the case. The batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized from the vehicle and at the seashore.
An investigation is ongoing.
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/Wednesday, February 21, 2024
