Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 11) seized 53 suspected smuggled auto parts and 672 suspected smuggled electric guitar strings with an estimated market value of about $220,000 at Shenzhen Bay Control Point and in Yuen Long. This is the first smuggling case to have adopted an "ants moving home" tactic using a private car as temporary storage.

     Customs officers intercepted an outgoing private car at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday afternoon and seized 15 auto parts on board the vehicle.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers further seized 38 auto parts and 672 electric guitar strings from a private car parked at a car park in Yuen Long.

     In the operation, a 36-year-old man was arrested and two private cars were detained.

     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.

     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, July 12, 2019
Issued at HKT 12:37

NNNN