Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels with goods worth about $170 million in total seized (with photo)
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Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Strategies were thus formulated, and four suspicious containers scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Southeast Asia via ocean-going vessels were selected for inspection.
Customs inspected two containers that were scheduled to be shipped to Indonesia and declared as carrying computer accessories and watch parts, and tally counters and computer accessories on September 18, and two containers scheduled to be shipped to Malaysia and declared as carrying refined lead on September 26. Upon examination, Customs officers found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including laptop computers, watches, silver slabs, cameras, auto parts, batteries, integrated circuits and toys, in the four containers.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.
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/Thursday, October 9, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:47
Issued at HKT 15:47
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