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Hong Kong Customs officers last night (February 26) seized 4,630 kilograms of unmanifested freshwater fish and turtles from a local fishing vessel from Guishan, Guangdong, at the waterfront south of Marine Cargo Terminal, Hong Kong International Airport.
While conducting an anti-smuggling operation, Customs officers intercepted a local fishing vessel sailing towards the waterfront south of Marine Cargo Terminal at 9.45pm.
They seized 4,250 kilograms of freshwater fish, 173 kilograms of Red-eared turtle and 207 kilograms of Chinese softshell turtle with an estimated value of $210,300.
The master of the fishing vessel failed to produce any manifest, and the consignment did not bear a valid health certificate from the Mainland authority.
Four male Mainlanders aged between 23 and 49, including the 38-year-old vessel master, were arrested. They will be charged under the Import and Export Ordinance.
Initial Customs investigations showed that the consignment was intended for local consumption.
Hong Kong Customs has notified the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department about this case.
Divisional Commander (Marine Enforcement Division), Mr Lam Chi-keung said today (February 27) that Hong Kong Customs had maintained vigorous inspection of vessels coming in and leaving Hong Kong waters to guard against unmanifested fish.
He said Hong Kong Customs would continue to work closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in cracking down on such illicit activities.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of "attempting to import/export unmanifested cargo" or "making use of an altered structure of any vessel for the purpose of smuggling" is liable on conviction to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Ends/Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:35
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