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Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 7) detected a smuggling case at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized a large batch of unmanifested mobile phones and accessories valued at about $5 million in an inbound 45-foot container truck. This is the largest smuggling case of mobile phones and accessories detected at the land boundary control points this year.
In the morning of yesterday, Customs officers mounted an anti-smuggling operation at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and intercepted an inbound 45-foot container truck declared as carrying metal parts, computer accessories and printed matters on board for examination. Upon inspection, Customs officers found in the innermost part of the cargo compartment 3,674 sets of mobile phones and a batch of phone accessories, with a total value of about $5 million. This is the largest haul of mobile phones and accessories seized at the land boundary control points this year. The 58-year-old male driver was arrested for committing an offence of "importing unmanifested cargo". The investigation is ongoing.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement against smuggling activities at control points.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Sunday, September 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 10:03
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