Hong Kong Customs Seizes $233 Million in Largest Precious Metals Smuggling Case at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases by air of suspected precious metals worth about $233 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two air freight smuggling cases of suspected precious metals on March 2, and seized about 168 kilograms of suspected gold foil and about 285kg of suspected silver foil, with a total estimated market value of about $233 million, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Both cases represent the largest precious-metal smuggling cases detected by Customs on record in terms of the seizure market value.

Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day examined two outbound air cargo consignments, declared as carrying multifunctional cleaners and UV cleaners departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected gold foil and suspected silver foil concealed in over 4 000 cleaners from the consignments.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.

Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of 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 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/).

Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases by air of suspected precious metals worth about $233 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Company fined $66,500 for contravening Employment Ordinance

China All Access Group Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violating the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company pleaded guilty at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (March 5) and was fined a total sum of $66,500.

The Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts, the Kwun Tong Law Courts Building

The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirements of the EO, failing to pay an employee's wages and payment in lieu of notice within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods and termination of the employment contract, as well as the end-of-year payment and annual leave pay within the statutory time limit, totalling about $1,122,000. The company also failed to pay the awarded sum of about $1,198,000 in total to the employee within 14 days after the date set by the Labour Tribunal (LT).

"The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay wages and termination payments to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO, as well as the sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board," a spokesman for the LD said.

"The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.

Source: AI-found images