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The Customs and Excise Department conducted an anti-smuggling operation in Sai Kung yesterday (July 9) and smashed a speedboat smuggling case. During the operation, a total of 1,735 computer hard disks and a private car were seized, with a total estimated value of about $0.91 million.
At about 6.30pm yesterday, Customs officers of the Marine Enforcement Group, while conducting an anti-smuggling patrol in Sai Kung, found 11 men unloading goods from a private car onto a high-powered speedboat at Tsam Chuk Wan beach in Sai Kung. The officers took action and seized the goods at scene.
The suspects immediately fled with the speedboat and a Customs High Speed Pursuit Craft gave chase before it passed across the Hong Kong boundary to the east of Sai Kung.
Customs officers seized the private car and 24 boxes of goods at scene. No arrests were made in the operation.
A Customs spokesman said today (July 10) that the department would continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat marine smuggling activities.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of exporting unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Ends/Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:35
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