Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 22) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the waters near Shau Kei Wan and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat. A batch of suspected smuggled frozen Wagyu beef, with an estimated market value of about $4 million, was seized.

     Customs officers last night conducted an anti-smuggling operation and spotted a suspicious loaded speedboat in the waters off Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter. Officers immediately took action and intercepted the speedboat, which then accelerated to avoid Customs interception.

     After pursuit, the speedboat was forced to stop in the waters off Heng Fa Chuen. Two men on board the speedboat abandoned the boat and jumped ashore, fleeing towards the Heng Fa Chuen direction.

     Customs officers seized the batch of suspected smuggled goods on board the intercepted speedboat, which has two powerful mounted outboard engines. A preliminary investigation revealed the licence of the speedboat had expired and the vessel's details are inconsistent with its registration record. 

     An investigation is ongoing. Two men suspected to be connected with the case are still at large.

     Customs stresses that it will keep up its enforcement actions and will continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with mounting targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to land a solid blow against relevant activities.

     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.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Friday, September 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:12

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