************************************************************
The Customs seized over $4 million worth of electronic goods, including mobile phones and accessories, computer hard disks, computer memory, and a private car in a two-day anti-smuggling operation.
Customs officers of the Special Task Force, on August 10 afternoon, seized 13 cartons of unmanifested electronic goods including USB flash drives, computer memory and mobile phone main-boards from an outbound lorry at Lok Ma Chau Control Point. The goods, worth around $3 million, were mixed with other manifested goods to evade Customs detection. A 45-year-old lorry driver was arrested. The investigation is continuing.
In the late night on August 11, the officers of the Special Task Force found smugglers removing cartons of goods from a private car onto a speedboat at the seashore of Pak Min Kok, Sai Kung. The smugglers jumped onto the speedboat and fled. The private car with 26 cartons of electronic goods, worth over $1 million, including mobile phones and computer hard disks on board, were seized.
Smuggling is a serious offence under the Import and Export Ordinance. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
The Customs will take continuous action against smuggling activities. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs through the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Friday, August 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:36
NNNN
