Hong Kong Customs conducted an anti-smuggling operation on January 17 and detected a suspected smuggling case using fishing vessels, barges and tugboats in the waters off Lung Kwu Chau. About 146 000 kilograms of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $5.1 million were seized.
Customs officers spotted eight suspicious vessels, including fishing vessels, barges and tugboats, in the waters off Lung Kwu Chau on that day. Later, two of the fishing vessels were leaving Hong Kong. Customs officers then took immediate action intercepting the abovementioned vessels for examination. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat were seized on board the fishing vessels and barges.
In the operation, 30 men on board the vessels suspected to be connected with the case, aged between 26 and 63, were arrested.
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).
Ends/Sunday, January 19, 2020
