Hong Kong Customs detects five smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels with goods worth about $140 million seized (with photos)
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Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Enforcement operations were thus formulated, with 13 suspicious containers scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Australia via ocean-going vessels selected for inspection.
Upon examination, Customs officers found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including about 14 million suspected illicit cigarettes, about 7 400 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco, electronic products, vehicle parts, from the 13 containers, which were declared as carrying household goods, including storage boxes, pillows, towels, sofas and mattresses.
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 fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt 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, September 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:20
Issued at HKT 16:20
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