Hong Kong Customs officers of Lok Ma Chau Control Point conducted a four-day special operation between July 31 and today (August 3) to suppress illegal importation of fresh meat and poultry by incoming passengers.
During the operation, the officers cracked 12 cases involving incoming passengers from Shenzhen who imported fresh pork, fresh chicken and fresh duck into Hong Kong without an official certificate. As a result, they seized a total of 27.8 kg fresh pork, 6.8 kg fresh chicken and 9 kg fresh duck worth about $1,200. The cases were handed over to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow-up action.
A Customs spokesman today reminded members of the public to obtain a certificate from the official authority of exporting country before importing meat or poultry meat into Hong Kong.
Under the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulations of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Chapter 132, it is an offence to bring into Hong Kong any meat and poultry without an official certificate. The maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Between May and July, Customs officers of Lok Ma Chau Control Point detected 85 similar cases, leading to the seizure of 253.3 kg fresh pork, 8.8 kg fresh beef, 3.8 kg fresh mutton, 73.2 kg fresh chicken, 28.8 kg fresh duck, 3.1 kg fresh pigeon meat. They were worth about $10,600.
Ends/Thursday, August 3, 2006