Smuggler shot in hip off Sai Kung

A ROYAL Navy officer shot a smuggler in the hip last night after boarding his fast moving speedboat and finding himself under attack with machetes.

The officer boarded the boat near Basalt Island in Rocky Harbour after two Navy fast pursuit crafts were launched from HMS Plover during an Anti-smuggling Task Force operation.

The officer used his Browning revolver to shoot one of the three smugglers who were trying to protect their cargo of televisions.

After the three surrendered, a task force speedboat rushed the injured man to hospital in Sai Kung, where he was being treated last night.

Last week, 100 shots were fired when the task force intercepted two speedboats, also off Sai Kung.