photo)
*********************************************************
Customs officers foiled a smuggling attempt at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday (September 1) and seized about 1,550 kg of fresh pork, and 1.18 million sticks of assorted brands of cigarettes with a duty potential of about $0.95 million.
The seized fresh pork was worth about $45,660, while the seized cigarettes were more than $1.77 million.
About 9.30pm yesterday, Customs officers intercepted an incoming lorry which arrived at Hong Kong from Shenzhen declared to be carrying fresh fruit.
In the lorry's cargo compartment Customs Officers found about 1,550 kg of unmanifested fresh pork and 1.18 million sticks of assorted brands of cigarettes.
A 48-year-old male driver was arrested. He will be charged with "importing unmanifested cargo" under the Import and Export Ordinance; and "importation of meat without an official certificate" under the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulations.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of $2 million and seven years' imprisonment.
Under the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulations of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, it is an offence to bring into Hong Kong any meat and poultry without an official certificate. The maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Ends/Friday, September 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:57
NNNN
