Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation codenamed "Big Wave" in June and detected three suspected smuggling cases involving ocean-going vessels. A large batch of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $100 million was seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, Customs suspected that criminals were using ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods. Strategies were thus formulated and three suspicious containers scheduled to depart from Hong Kong to Malaysia through ocean-going vessels were selected for inspection.
Upon examinations, Customs officers found a large batch of suspected smuggled electronic goods, including printed circuit boards, smart phones, computer tablets and car parts, in the three containers declared as carrying aluminium flakes, aluminium alloys and communication accessories respectively.
After follow-up investigations, Customs officers arrested a 60-year-old man suspected to be connected with one of the above-mentioned cases. Investigations are ongoing. The arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely 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.
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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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
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