Hong Kong Customs on June 28 detected a suspected case of using an ocean-going vessel to smuggle goods to India at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals. A large batch of suspected smuggled computers, with an estimated market value of about $10 million, was seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Strategies were thus formulated and an ocean-going vessel preparing to depart from Hong Kong to India was identified for inspection.
Customs officers on June 28 mounted an operation and seized a large batch of suspected computers inside a container which was declared as containing artificial flowers aboard the vessel.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Customs is the primary agency responsible for tackling smuggling activities and has long been combating various smuggling activities 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, with targeted anti-smuggling operations carried out at suitable times to disrupt these 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/Thursday, July 4, 2024
