Hong Kong Customs has mounted joint operations with its counterparts in the Mainland against smuggling activities by passenger couriers at the land boundary crossing points from September 7 so as to help uphold public order and ensure smooth flow of traffic at the control points.
The Head of Land Boundary Command of Hong Kong Customs, Mr Leung Lun-cheung, said today (October 5) that during the operation period, through intelligence exchange, instantaneous notification and stringent customs checks, Hong Kong Customs had referred suspected smuggling activities to its counterpart in the Mainland for follow-up action resulting in the detection of a number of smuggling cases.
At the same time, Hong Kong Customs has also successfully intercepted eight passenger couriers referred by the customs authorities in the Mainland and detected over 5,000 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with duty potential amounting to $9,000. During the joint action period, Hong Kong Customs has stepped up customs enforcement action and detected 832 cases with seizures of 330,000 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes and over 30 litres of liquor.
"Meanwhile, Hong Kong Customs will continue to co-operate closely with other enforcement departments and the MTR Corporation Limited to strengthen inspection at rail-based control points in order to ensure customs clearance efficiency and public order," Mr Leung said.
Furthermore, Hong Kong Customs has deployed undercover officers to gather intelligence information with regard to the modes of smuggling and types of commodities. The information will be provided to other relevant enforcement departments and related authorities for their respective law enforcement duties so as to stem the smuggling activities at source.
Realising that the passenger couriers have shifted the suspected smuggling activities from rail-based control points to other land boundary control points, Hong Kong Customs will step up enforcement at all land boundary control points.
The joint operation between Hong Kong Customs and customs authorities in the Mainland will continue till the end of 2012, During the period, both sides will maintain close communication and regularly review the effectiveness of the operation against smuggling activities.
Ends/Friday, October 5 2012