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Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police conducted a joint operation against sea smuggling along the southern coastline of Hong Kong yesterday (May 14). During the operation, a large batch of electronic goods including computer hard disks and digital cameras, and a high-powered speedboat were seized, with a total estimated value of about $4 million. A 42-year-old man was arrested.
Yesterday afternoon, the officers observed a high-powered speedboat leaving Hong Kong off south of Sham Shui Kok, Hong Kong Island. After a chase, the speedboat was intercepted off Yuen Kok, Lamma Island and the goods, packed in 30 carton boxes on board the vessel, were seized.
Smuggling is a serious offence under the Import and Export Ordinance. Any person found guilty of exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action along with the Marine Police in order to suppress sea smuggling activities.
Ends/Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:14
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