Hong Kong Customs on January 8 detected a suspected smuggling case involving an outgoing container truck at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized a batch of suspected smuggled electronic components with a total estimated market value of about $14 million.
Based on risk assessment, Customs officers on that day intercepted an outgoing container truck declared to contain micro motor material at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Upon inspection, a batch of suspected smuggled electronic components was found mixed with other properly declared goods inside the container.
The suspected smuggled electronic components seized by Customs officers included about 670 000 pieces of integrated circuits and about 80 000 pieces of assorted products, including watch movements, RAM units, mobile phone lens and mainboards. The total estimated market value was about $14 million.
After an investigation, Customs arrested a 47-year-old male container truck driver suspected to be connected with the case. He has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement actions based on 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 upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
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