Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled gold slabs worth about $1.2 million (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 8) seized two suspected smuggled gold slabs, weighing about 2 kilograms in total, with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

     Based on risk assessment, Customs yesterday afternoon intercepted an outgoing seven-seater vehicle at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point for inspection. Upon X-ray examination, Customs officers spotted irregularities in the image of a portable charger and found two suspected smuggled gold slabs concealed inside the portable charger.

     Customs arrested a 40-year-old male driver. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action 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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).