Hong Kong Customs detects suspected frozen meat smuggling case involving cargo vessel (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the southern waters of Hong Kong and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a cargo vessel on December 2. About 25 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen meat with an estimated market value of about $2.2 million were seized.

     Customs conducted an anti-smuggling operation and spotted a suspicious cargo vessel in the waters off Lamma Island that night. Several men on the cargo vessel, suspected of participating in smuggling activities, were unloading goods onto a high-powered speedboat. Customs officers immediately took action and intercepted the cargo vessel. The batch of suspected smuggled frozen meat was seized on board the vessel.

     During the operation, six men aged between 37 and 61, suspected to be connected with the case, were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs stresses that it will keep up its enforcement action and will continue to fiercely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with mounting targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to land a solid blow against relevant 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.

     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).