Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police mounted a joint operation and detected a suspected speedboat-related smuggling case in Sha Tau Kok on May 12. A batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized including cosmetics, daily necessities, food and electronic products with an estimated market value of about $23 million. Customs has to date detected 25 sea smuggling cases this year with a total seizure amount of about $150 million, which is similar to the total annual seizure amounts of 2018 and 2019.
Customs officers and Marine Police officers conducted an anti-smuggling operation at Sha Tau Kok on that day and spotted several suspicious men on the shore moving carton boxes from a private car to a speedboat. Officers then took action and the men immediately jumped into the speedboat and fled. A batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized on board the private car and another speedboat berthed at the seashore.
Customs officers later intercepted eight vehicles, comprising five private cars and three lorries, suspected to be related to the case in the vicinity. A batch of suspected smuggled goods was further seized on board the vehicles.
In the operation, Customs arrested two men aged 47 and 49. Six private vehicles, three lorries and one speedboat were detained for further investigation.
Investigation is ongoing and the arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.
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, May 14, 2020
