Customs officers seized $450,000 worth of smuggled chilled poultry from a river trade vessel from Zhuhai during an anti-smuggling operation yesterday (March 22).

While patrolling in the waters off Shek Kwu Chau at about 4pm, a Customs launch intercepted and searched a vessel declared to be containing potatoes.

As a result, Customs officers found a large quantity of chilled poultry, including 1,158 cartons of geese, 688 cartons of ducks, 465 cartons of chicken, and 17 cartons of pigeons.

They arrested six Mainlanders, aged 38 to 55.

The case has been handed over to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow-up investigations.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (March 23) stressed that Customs would continue to step up enforcement to crack down on smuggling of illicit chilled poultry.

The spokesman warned that anyone found guilty of importing unmanifested cargo under the Import and Export Ordinance is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years; or on conviction on indictment to a fine of $2 million and seven years' imprisonment.

Under the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulations of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, it is an offence to bring into Hong Kong any meat and poultry without an official certificate. The maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Ends/Tuesday, March 23, 2004