More than 180 pigs suffocated to death in three containers which were being smuggled from Guangdong by two Chinese cargo ships yesterday. A total of 216 pigs, worth about $360,000, were discovered by Customs officers at a Hoi Yu Street cargo handling area at about 7 am after the containers were unloaded from two Chinese cargo vessels, Tung Kong 168 and Keh Kei 398. The pigs were smuggled out of Shanmei, Guangdong province, without health certificates. Customs officers said the consignment was their biggest haul of smuggled live pigs. Last night, three local truck drivers and eight mainland crewmen were helping Customs officials with inquiries.
