Hong Kong Customs today (June 10) smashed a suspected smuggling case at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized a batch of integrated circuits valued at about $1.71 million in a private car with the arrest of a 32-year-old male driver.
Customs officers intercepted an outbound private car during an anti-smuggling operation at Shenzhen Bay Control Point today.　Upon inspection, 97 vacuum aluminum bags containing 286,000 integrated circuits, valued at about $1.71 million, were found being concealed in the spare tyre position of the vehicle boot which were covered by several boxes of distilled water and a carpet. The 32-year-old male driver was arrested for attempting to export unmanifested cargo. He was put on police bail pending follow-up investigation.
A Customs spokesperson said that the department will continue to carry out stringent enforcement against smuggling activities at control points through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, the maximum penalty respectively for attempting to import or export unmanifested cargo is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Tuesday, June 10, 2014
