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Customs officers at Lok Ma Chau Control Point today (January 24) seized from an outgoing private car 300 bottles of unmanifested red wine in 25 wooden boxes, worth about $18,600 and with duty potential of $3,096.70.
At around 3.16pm, Customs officers intercepted and searched a departing private car. They uncovered the smuggled still wine from rear compartment of the car.
A male Hong Kong driver, aged 41, was arrested. He will be charged with one count of ¡§Attempting to export unmanifested cargo¡¨ under Import and Export Ordinance.
A spokesperson for Customs and Excise Department reminded that drivers of private cars leaving or entering Hong Kong had to declare to Customs officers the cargo onboard and all other controlled articles in their possession, otherwise they would face prosecution.
Under Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious crime. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and seven years¡¦ imprisonment.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, the maximum penalty is a fine of $1 million and two years¡¦imprisonment.
Ends/Thursday, January 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 23:17
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