Biggest ginseng seizure in Hong Kong history nets HK$47 million of traditional medicine from seagoing smugglers
- Police and customs swooped when they spotted a fishing vessel transferring more than a thousand boxes to speedboats off Lantau Island
- Seven men aboard the larger ship were arrested, though officials were unable to intercept the speedboats as they headed for mainland China
Hong Kong authorities have seized 34 tonnes of American ginseng worth HK$47 million (US$6 million) and arrested seven people in what is by far the biggest-ever bust of its kind in the city.
The haul breaks a record set less than three months ago, when more than three tonnes of the traditional Chinese medicine valued at about $HK4.6 million were seized in February.
Police and customs officers discovered a “suspicious-looking” fishing boat to the northeast of Hong Kong’s international airport on Thursday evening at about 8pm, and found seven people loading the herb – hidden inside 1,060 boxes – from the vessel onto two speedboats, it was revealed on Saturday.
The law enforcement agents believed it was a smuggling operation and pursued the suspects, but the two speedboats sped towards mainland China and escaped Hong Kong waters.
Marine officers intercepted the fishing boat and arrested seven people on board – local men between the ages of 25 and 69.