​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 22) conducted an anti-smuggling operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using speedboats and barges in the waters off Hong Kong International Airport. About 162 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $6.5 million were seized and 15 persons were arrested. This is the largest frozen meat smuggling case detected by Customs this year.
Customs officers spotted four suspicious vessels, comprising two speedboats and two barges, in the waters off Hong Kong International Airport yesterday. When the two speedboats were leaving Hong Kong, Customs officers took immediate action and seized the batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat on board the two barges.
In the operation, 15 men suspected to be in connection with the case, aged between 23 and 65, 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/Thursday, April 23, 2020
