​Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel on June 28. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $20 million was seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use an ocean-going vessel to smuggle goods. Enforcement operations were thus formulated, with a suspicious container scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Australia via an ocean-going vessel being selected for inspection.
Upon examination, Customs officers found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including cigarettes, pharmaceutical products, liquors and household goods, from the abovementioned container, which was declared as carrying adapters, packaging boxes and bags, and drawstring bags.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
