In an anti-smuggling operation conducted yesterday (June 4), Customs officers successfully seized a large quantity of high-value electronic goods worth about $2.5 million, one speedboat and one light goods van. Four people were arrested.
Over 30 Customs officers of the Special Task Force and the Marine Enforcement Group conducted a joint anti-smuggling operation in the southeast waters of Lamma Island yesterday. At noon, Customs Officers noticed one speedboat travelling at high speed across the waters off Yuen Kok, Lamma Island heading towards the Mainland. Customs High Speed Pursuit Crafts intercepted the speedboat prior to its leaving from the waters of Hong Kong. Two males found on board the speedboat were arrested.
After examination, Customs Officers unveiled under the fuel tank a secret entrance leading to the concealed compartments at the bottom part of the speedboat. Inside the compartments, Customs Officers discovered 66 cartons of high-value electronic goods including 1,350 hard disks, 1,890 CPUs, 4,319 USB Flash Memory/RAMs and 56,800 integrated circuits worth about $2.5 million.
In the same operation, Customs officers of the Special Task Force also conducted a blitz search at a shipyard located at Ap Lei Chau and seized a batch of forwarding paraphernalia. The male shipyard owner was eventually arrested.
In addition, Customs officers of the Special Task Force arrested another Hong Kong male who was believed in connection with the smuggling activities while attempting to leave Hong Kong through the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A batch of packing paraphernalia was subsequently found on board a light goods van owned by this male.
Ages of the four arrested people ranged from 40 to 57. The investigation is still on-going.
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. To report offences relating to smuggling, please call Customs Hotline 2545 6182 (24-hour service).
Ends/Saturday, June 5, 2010
