Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation at Lok Ma Chau Control Point between June 17 and 19 to combat smuggling activities by cross-boundary goods vehicles under the epidemic. During the operation, Customs detected three cross-boundary goods vehicles smuggling cases and seized a batch of suspected smuggled goods with an estimated market value of about $8.1 million.

     In the operation, Customs officers intercepted two outbound and one inbound goods vehicles and seized over 230 000 suspected smuggled goods, including electronic parts, circuit boards, power supplies, USB drives, sunglasses and spectacles accessories. The incoming goods vehicle involved in the case was declared as carrying garments, while the two outgoing goods vehicles were declared as carrying metal parts and declared to be empty respectively. 

     Three male drivers, suspected to be connected with the cases and aged between 50 and 62, are assisting the investigation.

     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.

     Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

     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/Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:25

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