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Police last (December 26) night arrested two Mainland men for stealing Buddhist pines in Sai Kung during an anti-illegal immigrant and smuggling operation.
At about 9.30 pm, officers of the Marine Police Small Boat Division spotted a suspicious speedboat manoeuvring off Yin Tsz Ngam heading towards the Mainland waters.
When the Police vessels approached the speedboat for investigation, it continued to travel at a high speed.
After a hot pursuit, the target speedboat with two Mainland men, aged 30 and 35, onboard was intercepted off east of Yin Tsz Ngam. Six Buddhist pines were seized from the boat.
Investigations revealed that the pair was suspected of stealing the Buddhist pines from the hillside near Yin Tsz Ngam.
The two men were both arrested for theft and unauthorized entrants with the 30-year-old man further arrested for failing to stop and endangering life at sea. They are still being detained for further enquiries.
Investigations by the Regional Crime Unit of Marine are proceeding.
A Police spokesman called on members of the public to report to the Police when they find any illegal harvesting of Buddhist pines.
"Police attach great importance to tackling cross-boundary crimes and illegal tree felling activities. We will continue to step up patrol and enforcement action in a bid to prevent the occurrence of such crimes," the spokesman added.
Police Report No.3
Ends/Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:52
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