Hong Kong Customs detects largest diamond smuggling case on record (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 3) seized a batch of suspected smuggled jewels, including about 1 300 diamonds, 10 sapphires, one emerald and about 30 grams of point-size diamonds, with an estimated market value of about $25 million in total at Sha Tau Kok Control Point. This is the largest diamond smuggling case detected by Customs on record in terms of the market value of the diamonds seized.

     Customs officers yesterday intercepted an outgoing light goods vehicle at Sha Tau Kok Control Point for inspection. The batch of suspected smuggled jewels was found mingled with 17 pieces of manifested gold slabs inside two backpacks in the cargo compartment. The 47-year-old male driver was then arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against cross-boundary smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

     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).