Hong Kong Customs mounted an operation against the illegal importation of frozen meat codenamed "Ice Breaker" with Mainland Customs between April and May 2024. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected illegal importations of frozen meat cases. A total of about 1 200 kilograms of suspected illegally imported frozen meat with a total estimated market value of about $72,000 were seized.
On April 10, Hong Kong Customs, acting on intelligence analysis, concluded that some persons would illegally import frozen meat into Hong Kong from the Mainland side of Chung Ying Street in Sha Tou Kok. Customs officers then took action and intercepted four suspicious vehicles in Sheung Shui. A total of about 1 200kg of frozen meat was seized at the scene and four men aged between 32 and 57 were arrested.
In the second case, Hong Kong Customs officers intercepted a man who entered Hong Kong from the Lo Wu Control Point on May 29. About 2kg of frozen meat and a batch of eggs were found in his trolley. The 30-year-old man was subsequently arrested and the case was handed over to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) for follow-up investigation.
Under the Import and Export (General) Regulations, it is an offence to import frozen or chilled meat into Hong Kong without an import licence issued by the FEHD. An offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
According to the Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations (Cap. 132AK), it is an offence to bring any game, meat, poultry or eggs into Hong Kong without a health certificate issued by an issuing entity of the place of origin and/or without prior written permission granted by the FEHD. An offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months.
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/Friday, May 31, 2024
