Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police conducted a joint operation today (March 3) at Tsing Lung Tau Ferry Pier in Sham Tseng and Tsuen Wan and seized about 8 500 bottles of suspected smuggled cough syrup and five million of suspected smuggled integrated circuits with an estimated market value of about $5.7 million.

     Customs officers and the Marine Police conducted an anti-smuggling operation at Sham Tseng early this morning.  During the operation, enforcement officers found several men moving carton boxes from a private vehicle at the pier onto a speedboat. Enforcement officers immediately took action and the men fled with the speedboat.  Large quantity of suspected smuggled cough syrup was found from two private vehicles parked nearby.  Later, Customs officers seized large quantity of suspected smuggled cough syrup and integrated circuits from a unit of an industrial building in Tsuen Wan.  A 43-year-old man was arrested.  Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence.  Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person found guilty of possessing the poison included in Part I of the Poisons List without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

Ends/Friday, March 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 23:14

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