Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police mounted a joint operation yesterday (May 11) to combat smuggling activities, and detected a suspected smuggling case using a fishing vessel in the waters off Lung Kwu Chau. About 9 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $300,000 were seized.
Customs officers and Marine Police officers spotted a suspicious fishing vessel and a suspicious speedboat in the waters off Lung Kwu Chau yesterday. Officers took immediate action when the two vessels intended to leave Hong Kong waters. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat was seized on board the fishing vessel and two men aged 56 and 46 were arrested.
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).
Ends/Tuesday, May 12, 2020
