***********************************************************
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 6) smashed a suspected smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 92 mobile phones of new models valued at about $510,000 in an outbound private car with the arrest of a 56-year-old man.
Customs officers mounted an anti-smuggling operation at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday afternoon and intercepted an outbound seven-seater private car and found suspected irregularity inside the vehicle compartment. Upon further inspection, Customs officers found a false compartment in the drawer facing the front passenger seat of the private car and seized the 92 mobile phones. The 56-year-old male driver was arrested for suspected of attempting to export unmanifested cargo. The man was put on police bail pending follow-up investigation.
A Customs spokesperson today (February 7) said that through the use of risk assessment and intelligence analysis, the department will continue to carry out stringent enforcement against smuggling activities at control points.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, the maximum penalty respectively for attempting to import/export unmanifested cargo is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Friday, February 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:45
NNNN
