Valuable hauls: Hong Kong customs officers step up border inspections after surge in gold and silver seizures
Mainland Chinese people are thought to be smuggling bars out to avoid strict regulations and heavy taxes
The inspection of Hong Kong-bound vehicles arriving from mainland China has been stepped up at the city’s border checkpoints after a surge in cases of smuggled gold and silver bars, the Post has learned.
The latest smuggling case involving HK$11 million worth of gold was detected on Wednesday after frontline officers intercepted a luxury car for inspection at Shenzhen Bay immigration control point.
“During inspection, officers found 30 gold slabs concealed in a secret compartment near the mud flap of the vehicle’s front wheel,” a source with knowledge of the case said.
He said each slab weighed 1kg and the haul had an estimated street value of HK$11 million.
Customs officers arrested the male driver, 34, on suspicion of importing unmanifested cargo. The Hongkonger was released on bail pending further investigation.
According to the customs department, the alleged activity was in violation of the Import and Export Ordinance that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and a HK$2 million fine.
The source said the seizure was made after customs officers strengthened the inspection of cross-border vehicles at immigration control points.