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Customs officers of Lok Ma Chau Control Point cracked two smuggling cases yesterday (June 21) seizing six dismantled left-hand-drive private cars, and 1.57 million sticks of illicit cigarettes.
Two Hong Kong male drivers, aged 36 and 60, were arrested.
About 11am yesterday, Customs officers intercepted an outgoing container tractor, declared to be carrying plastic materials. From the container they seized six dismantled left-hand-drive private cars, worth about $800,000. A 36-year-old Hong Kong male driver was arrested.
About 8pm yesterday, in another anti-smuggling operation, Customs officers searched an incoming lorry and seized 1.57 million sticks of illicit cigarettes, worth about $2.3 million with duty potential of $1.26 million. A 60-year-old Hong Kong male driver was arrested.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (June 22) stressed that the department would continue to take vigorous enforcement action against cross-boundary smuggling activities.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious crime. The maximum penalty for the offence is $2 million fine and seven years imprisonment.
Ends/Thursday, June 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:12
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