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Marine Police arrested eight men following the seizure of $10 million worth of suspected smuggled goods off east of South Ninepin Island early this morning (November 27).
At about 7 am, officers of the Small Boat Division spotted a cargo vessel off east Trio Island heading towards the Mainland waters in an anti-illegal immigrant and smuggling operation in marine east waters.
When the Police vessels approached the vessel for investigation, the vessel continued to travel at a high speed.
After a hot pursuit, the target vessel with eight Hong Kong men onboard was intercepted off east of South Ninepin Island. About 400 boxes of assorted computer components including hard disc drives, laptops, projectors and computer chips with a total market value of over $10 million was found in the vessel.
Upon enquiries, no manifest could be produced for inspection and the eight men, aged between 32 and 50, were arrested for attempting to export unmanifested cargo.
They are still being detained for enquiries. The case will be handed over to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up action.
Police Report No. 6
Ends/Sunday, November 27, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:57
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