​Hong Kong Customs detected two suspected smuggling cases involving an ocean-going vessel on September 24. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $170 million was seized.

     Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs discovered that criminals intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods and thus formulated strategies, and identified an ocean-going vessel preparing to depart from Hong Kong for the Philippines for inspection.

     Customs officers on September 24 mounted an operation and seized a large batch of suspected smuggling items, including new mobile phones, phone accessories, smartwatches and tablets, inside two containers that were declared as containing plastic protective casing aboard the vessel.

     An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

     Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling offences on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, with targeted anti-smuggling operations carried out at suitable times to disrupt these 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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Friday, October 18, 2024
Issued at HKT 17:35

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