Hong Kong Customs detects suspected gold-smuggling case by air worth about $22 million (with photo)
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Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day examined an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying plastic flower boxes departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a batch of suspected gold, which had been moulded into thin sheets, concealed inside false compartments at the bottom of the flower boxes. The total weight of the suspected gold was about 26.2kg.
An investigation is still ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Friday, August 22, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:50
Issued at HKT 17:50
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