Hong Kong authorities make first major maritime smuggling bust of the new year after waterfront stakeout
- Authorities seized some HK$4 million worth of red wine, electronics and products suspected of being derived from endangered species
- The haul was believed to be destined for Shekou, in China’s Guangdong province
Hong Kong authorities have made their first major maritime smuggling bust of the new year, seizing more than HK$4 million worth of illicit wildlife products and contraband items, and arresting a local man in the early hours of Friday morning.
A law enforcement source said the haul was believed to be destined for Shekou, in Guangdong province, and included bottles of red wine, as well as dried shark fins and seahorses suspected of being derived from endangered species.
“It is possible the goods were meant to meet the demand for high-end products in mainland China ahead of Lunar New Year,” the source said.
The joint operation began on Thursday night, with police and customs officers lying in wait at the Nim Wan Road waterfront near Ha Pak Nai Tsuen in Lau Fau Shan in the northwest of the city after becoming aware smuggling activities were taking place there.
The source said it usually took a speedboat less than three minutes to make it from the site to the maritime boundary between Hong Kong and the mainland.
At around 1.30am on Friday, a speedboat equipped with three outboard engines entered Hong Kong waters from the mainland and berthed at the waterfront, with a truck showing up to meet it.