The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) yesterday (October 14) smashed a case of speedboat smuggling at the landing steps near the Marine Cargo Terminal at Chek Lap Kok.
In the operation, a total of 61 boxes of goods with a total value of about $2 million were seized. The goods comprised about 430 kilograms of live geoduck clams, 700 used tablet computers, 4 500 used mobile phones and 10 000 circuit boards.
Last night, officers of the C&ED's Marine Enforcement Group spotted five suspicious men loading goods from a box-type lorry onto a twin-outboard-engine speedboat moored at the landing steps near the Marine Cargo Terminal at Chek Lap Kok. Officers took immediate enforcement action. The suspects immediately fled with the speedboat. The officers then seized 61 boxes of goods with a total value of about $2 million at the scene.
C&ED will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of exporting unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Ends/Tuesday, October 15 2013
