TOUGHER penalties for smuggling, which are expected to pass into law by early next year, will give further clout to a police anti-smuggling task force that has already posted impressive results in its clampdown on cross-border crime.
Since being established in February 1991, the task force has arrested more than 300 smugglers and seized nearly $100 million worth of goods.
Figures show that smuggling has dropped significantly since the task force went into action.
Last month, goods valued at $1,476,000 were seized, compared to $7,150,000 in August 1992. Luxury car thefts - an indicator of smuggling levels - dropped to 89 last month, compared to 144 in August last year.
The task force's Senior Superintendent Laurie Poots believes the ultimate aim of eliminating the use of purpose-built smuggling boats is close to being achieved.
''We launched a round-the-clock operation codenamed Disavow in April, which has used all available resources to deny smugglers access to land-based loading sites as well as intercepting them at sea before they enter Hong Kong waters,'' Mr Poots said.
