Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 13) smashed a syndicate involved in the smuggling of mobile phones and accessories into the Mainland, camouflaged by logistics activities.

In an operation mounted in Lok Ma Chau and Yuen Long, the officers seized about $14 million worth of goods, including mobile phones and LCD monitors, camera lenses and circuit boards of mobile phones.

Six men and a woman, aged between 23 and 46, were arrested in the operation. They included a 39-year-old man, believed to be a syndicate core member. The arrested persons are on bail pending further investigation.

About 7.50pm yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a departing goods vehicle, declared to be carrying no goods, for inspection.

They uncovered from a false compartment under the passenger seat carpet and inside the air filter cabin about 40 mobile phones and 2,300 pieces of mobile phone accessories. The seizure value was about $500,000. A 46-year-old local male driver was arrested.

In follow-up investigation, Customs officers raided a storage centre at Mai Po Lung Road, Yuen Long at night on the same day. As a result, they impounded another goods vehicle and arrested a 42-year-old Mainland male driver. A large batch of mobile phones, LCD monitors, camera lenses and circuit boards of mobile phones were seized. The seizure value was about $14 million.

Three men and a woman, aged 34 to 45, who were two-way permit holders, were arrested. Among them, a 39 year-old man was believed to be a core syndicate member.

About 11pm, Customs officers impounded at Lok Ma Chau Control Point an incoming lorry which was believed to be connected with the case. A Mainland male driver, aged 23, was arrested.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (March 14) stressed that the department would continue to stay vigilant and continue to take stringent enforcement against smuggling activities.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Ends/Friday, March 14, 2008