More than 580 people arrested, HK$53 million in illicit goods seized by Hong Kong customs over Lunar New Year
The confiscated items ranged from counterfeit products to drugs and wildlife parts from endangered species
More than 580 people were arrested and HK$53 million (US$6.8 million) worth of illicit goods seized by Hong Kong customs at various border checkpoints around the city in the period before and during the Lunar New Year holiday.
In a 19-day crackdown that ended on Monday, customs officers arrested 582 people in 655 cases at entry points such as the airport, railway stations and ferry terminals.
Counterfeit goods such as handbags and wallets accounted for about HK$33 million in items seized.
Ninety-eight cases foiled involved wildlife goods suspected to be from endangered species. These included rare wood, orchids, ivory products and shark fins. The total haul of this nature amounted to about HK$6.4 million.
More than 100kg of illegal meat and poultry were also seized along with 1,300 poultry eggs. The cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow-ups.
