​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 3) detected a suspected smuggling case involving a cross-boundary goods vehicle at the Man Kam To Control Point and seized about 234 kilograms of suspected smuggled bird's nests with an estimated market value of about $9.5 million. This is the largest on record among bird's nests smuggling cases detected by Customs at land boundary control points in terms of the value of the seizure.
Based on risk assessment, Customs yesterday intercepted an outbound goods vehicle declared to be empty at the Man Kam To Control Point. Upon inspection, Customs officers found there were several stacks of plastic baskets inside the cargo compartment of the vehicle, and the batch of suspected smuggled bird's nests was seized in between the stacks.
After an investigation, Customs arrested a 65-year-old male driver suspected to be connected with the case. He has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on 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.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Thursday, January 4, 2024
