Hong Kong customs seizes HK$20 million worth of electronic goods in biggest sea-smuggling bust in city this year

Tax-dodging suspects abandon goods destined for mainland but evade capture in speedboat getaway

Haul of electronics and high-end pens is the biggest from all 47 sea-smuggling cases detected so far in 2019

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Pao Man-hon and Leung You-man, from Hong Kong customs, explain to the media how the city’s largest sea-smuggling bust of the year came about. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 3:33pm, 17 Oct 2019Updated: 10:01pm, 17 Oct 2019

Law enforcers made the biggest sea-smuggling bust of the year in Hong Kong with the seizure of HK$20 million (US$2.5 million) worth of electronic goods destined for mainland China, a senior customs official said on Thursday.

But the seven smugglers managed to flee in a mainland-bound speedboat, taking advantage of construction works in waters near Hong Kong International Airport to elude four high-speed pursuit crafts.

“During the sea chase, the speedboat was running at a speed of 50 knots to evade capture,” said Jonathan Leung Yiu-man, of customs’ marine enforcement group.

The haul of goods that customs officers believe were bound for the mainland in a smuggling operation to avoid taxes. Photo: Handout

He said in addition to strong winds and big waves, obstacles in the water, such as building works and barges, made it difficult for his officers to give chase in a pursuit that lasted five minutes.

Customs officers began investigating a cross-border smuggling syndicate in Ma Wan Chung in Tung Chung on Lantau Island after receiving intelligence about two weeks ago.