In Brief

Fleeing smugglers dump HK$34m of electronic goods

Customs and police officers recovered HK$34.4 million worth of smuggled electronic goods in Sai Kung yesterday after they were abandoned by more than a dozen smugglers who escaped in four speedboats. A high-speed marine police chase lasted about 10 minutes but ended when the smugglers entered mainland waters. The goods including computer hard drives, watch movements, integrated circuits, LCD panels and second-hand mobile phones worth more than HK$34 million were abandoned at Tsam Chuk Wan beach when police and customs officers launched a raid as the smugglers were loading the boxes on to speedboats.

Suspect sent HK$1.8m to Fiji to fund drug factory, court told

A Hong Kong man provided HK$1.85 million for a drug factory in Fiji, the District Court heard. Choi Sui-hey, 41, denied a charge of dealing in cash connected to manufacture of the party drug Ice in Fiji. He also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of money laundering. Choi was arrested in the city in June 2004. Six people were arrested in Fiji on the same day and all were jailed in July 2005 for manufacturing Ice. Choi denied the allegations and told police the money was to repay loans. The hearing continues today before Deputy Judge Rickie Chan Kam-cheong.

Pork prices to rise

The retail price of pork is expected to rise after a leading importer announced a 7 per cent increase in wholesale prices. Ng Fung Hong said the wholesale price for a 100 catties (67kg) would rise from HK$1,000 to about HK$1,100. Supermarket chain ParknShop said it had no plans to charge more, while Wellcome said it was studying the impact of the price increase.