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Marine Police yesterday (February 27) arrested three men and seized 119 smuggled lizards worth about $0.12 million during a joint operation with the Customs and Excise Department (C&E) in Tung Chung.
About 7pm yesterday, officers of Marine Small Boat Division conducted a joint anti-smuggling operation with C&E near Chek Lap Kok. Officers spotted five men unloading goods from a light goods vehicle (LGV) at the shoreline near the eastern side of Chek Lap Kok. A speedboat approached the scene and two men onboard began to load the goods onto the speedboat. When Police and C&E officers swooped, the two men from the speedboat and two men unloading goods from the LGV jumped onto the speedboat which sped away and left Hong Kong waters.
The three remaining men who unloaded goods from the LGV tried to escape but were intercepted by officers at the scene. The men, aged between 15 and 44, were arrested for assisting in the export of unmanifested cargo. They are still being detained for further enquiries.
Seven wooden boxes containing 119 lizards worth about $0.12 million were seized at the scene.
The case was handed over to C&E for further action.
Police Report No. 5
Ends/Saturday, February 28, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:07
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