Hong Kong customs seizes suspected smuggled goods worth HK$4 million, including frozen venison tails and aquarium animals
- Suspected smugglers seen unloading goods from vehicle onto speedboat in Tung Chung, customs says
- Officers find 24 boxes of frozen venison tails, 14 containing aquarium animals and 10 bags of suspected scheduled dried shark fins
Hong Kong customs has seized suspected smuggled goods worth about HK$4 million (US$511,828), including frozen venison tails and aquarium animals.
Customs officers on Saturday said they carried out an anti-smuggling operation in Ma Wan Chung in Tung Chung a day earlier, during which they spotted a light goods vehicle heading towards the waterfront.
Suspected smugglers were seen unloading goods from the vehicle onto a speedboat at the waterfront, sparking immediate action from officers, according to customs.
But the suspects quickly jumped onto the boat and fled towards mainland Chinese waters.
No one was arrested and an investigation is ongoing, according to customs.
Officers later discovered another light goods vehicle with items in the same packaging. Authorities suspect that the truck is connected to the earlier incident.
Suspected smuggled goods, including 24 boxes of frozen venison tails, 14 containing aquarium animals and 10 bags of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, were seized from the vehicle.
Both light good vehicles were detained.
“Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against cross-boundary smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis,” customs said.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Those found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence are liable to a maximum fine of HK$10 million and imprisonment for 10 years under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
Customs officers earlier arrested three men and seized more than HK$10 million worth of fake electronic devices labelled with brand names such as Apple and Samsung in a crackdown on the illegal import of counterfeit goods.
The more than 14,000 items seized were intended for countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, the United States, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, according to authorities.
The counterfeit products, uncovered in 19 cases over the two-week period between January 8 and 19, included mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, charge cables and other phone accessories.
