Anti-smuggling team cut back 'prematurely'
THERE were fears yesterday that the scaling-down of Anti-Smuggling Taskforce activities may have been premature, in the light of a reported increase in smuggling.
An incident involving four smugglers' speedboats trying to smuggle cars out of the territory on Saturday morning was one of a number of incidents during the past week, sources said yesterday.
Reasons for the increase are unknown, but smugglers' intelligence-gathering has become more sophisticated and it is understood they have switched to morning sorties when they believe the taskforce is less active.
But the head of the taskforce, Senior Superintendent Norrie Mackillop, said Saturday's incident was not part of any surge in activity.
'If there has been an increase in sightings then it has been by others, not the taskforce,' he said. However, one source said: 'They appear to be thinking they are one jump ahead at the moment.' The taskforce is preparing to scale down operations after becoming a victim of its own success. Sighting of smugglers' boats has fallen to just a handful each month from a peak three years ago of up to 1,500 a month.
With smugglers believed to have switched to land and ship containers for getting goods to mainland China, the taskforce has become more difficult to justify.
A resurgence of speedboat activity before this month's review of the taskforce, however, could delay any reduction of operations.
The taskforce combines the resources of the Marine Police, police tactical unit, Customs and Excise, and Royal Navy, and has about 100 officers.
Saturday's episode - the latest - occurred at 9.30 am south of Lamma Island.
Radio Operator Ray Lawson hurled himself from a fast pursuit craft dispatched from Royal Navy Patrol Craft HMS Peacock on to one of four speedboats carrying cars off-loaded from a lighter in Hong Kong waters.
'I was told to go and just went,' said the 27-year-old married sailor, who dislocated his right shoulder.
'I landed on the car's boot and slid down the back. I tried to cut the fuel lines but the car was not secured and was crushing me.' Nevertheless, he severed two fuel lines of the four-engined craft which was travelling at 50 knots.
'They didn't stop so I drew my weapon and one of the three guys shook his head - I think due to nervousness.
'Then a police tei fei came alongside and they gave up.' The tug and lighter were seized along with the three smugglers.
