Hong Kong Customs on March 15 mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the western waters of Hong Kong and detected a suspected case of using a river trade vessel to smuggle goods in the waters off Black Point. About 1 tonne of unmanifested suspected scheduled dried shark fins with an estimated market value of about $5 million were seized.
During an anti-smuggling operation conducted in the above-mentioned waters on that day, Customs officers intercepted a river trade vessel heading towards Macao. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled dried shark fins inside a container on board the vessel.
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/Monday, March 18, 2024
