Hong Kong Customs detected four suspected air smuggling cases involving weight-loss injection vials on June 12 and 13. About 4 800 injection vials with suspected controlled weight-loss substances, with a total estimated market value of about $4.5 million, were seized. A suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel was also detected on June 15. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $40 million were seized.

     Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs selected 34 postal packets arriving in Hong Kong from Japan for inspection on June 12 and 13, and found a total of about 4 800 injection vials with suspected controlled weight-loss substances.

     The river trade vessel departing from Hong Kong for Macao was selected for inspection on June 15. Upon examination, Customs officers aboard the vessel found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including pharmaceutical products, about 2 900 cosmetic injection vials, suspected endangered live turtles, electronic products and tobacco products.
      
     Investigations are 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 on all fronts. 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. Any person who imports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

     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/Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:22

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