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Marine Police arrested five men in an anti-smuggling operation which concluded at 4 am this (Saturday) morning.

The operation was carried out by the Police Anti-smuggling Task Force from 8 pm last (Friday) night when a speed boat and a disguised "Chung Fei" were deployed to patrol the sea area off the eastern part of Hong Kong Island.

At about 8.45 pm last night, Marine Police intercepted a suspicious "Chung Fei" off the eastern part of Waglan Island and arrested two men from the Mainland with their age being 43 and 37 respectively for unauthorised entrance, failing to stop and endangering safety of others at sea.

In the same operation, another "Dai Fei" was intercepted at about 4 am this morning and a left-hand-drive jeep was found on board. Three male Mainlanders, aged between 27 and 32, were arrested also for unauthorised entrance, failing to stop and endangering safety of others at sea.

The "Dai Fei" was later on fire and sank while the jeep on board fell to the sea.

Efforts are being made to tow the "Dai Fei" back to Marine Regional Headquarters in San Wan Ho.

The "Chung Fei" and the arrested men are still being detained in the Marine Regional Headquarters.

Police Report No.2

Issued by PPRB

End/0720 hours, Saturday, July 3, 1999 (CA)

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