Hong Kong customs officials discover HK$30 million worth of high-end goods being smuggled to mainland at Lok Ma Chau border crossing

Birds nests, a delicacy used in Chinese soups, and cameras were among the products seized

Customs officers believe the driver of the truck apprehended may be part of a cross-border smuggling syndicate

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Some of the wares, valued at HK$30 million, discovered by Hong Kong customs officials being smuggled into mainland China at Lok Ma Chau control point. Photo: Handout

Published: 3:04pm, 25 Oct 2018Updated: 10:10pm, 25 Oct 2018

Customs officers found more than HK$30 million (US$3.83 million) worth of high-end products hidden in a Shenzhen-bound truck at a Hong Kong immigration control point, Hong Kong Customs said on Thursday. It was the biggest seizure of cross-border land contraband in the past three years.

Hong Kong customs officials with the haul of luxury goods, worth HK$30 million, headed for Shenzhen, that were seized at Lok Ma Chau border crossing. Photo: Handout

The smuggled goods, hidden in more than 100 boxes, included 400kg of bird’s nests worth HK$14.4 million and cameras and lenses worth a total of HK$10 million, according to the Customs and Excise Department. Other items in the haul included computer hard drives, tablets and mobile phones.

The driver of the truck, a 50-year-old local man, was arrested in connection with the case. Officers believe he may be a member of a cross-border smuggling syndicate.

The consignment was detected at Lok Ma Chau control point soon after 7am on Wednesday when customs officers intercepted a mainland-bound truck for inspection based on risk assessment.