​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 20) detected a suspected case of importing unmanifested cargo involving a goods vehicle at the Man Kam To Control Point, seizing a total of about 118 kilograms of suspected smuggled live plant pests and frozen pet food with an estimated market value of about $35,000.
      
     Customs officers on that day intercepted an incoming goods vehicle at the said control Point. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected unmanifested cargo, including suspected illegally imported mealworms, moth larvae, fruit flies, cockroaches and frozen domestic rats, was found mix-loaded with other declared goods. A 40-year-old local male driver was arrested. An investigation is ongoing.
      
     Customs has passed the suspected illegally imported live plant pests and frozen domestic rats to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation. 

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against cross-boundary smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that 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.
      
     Customs also reminds members of the public that under the Rabies Regulation, any person found guilty of illegally importing animals, carcasses or animal products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year, and under the Plant (Importation and Pest Control) Ordinance, any person found guilty of illegally importing a plant pest without authorisation is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for six months.
      
     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 21, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:10

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