Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving river trade vessel with goods worth about $4 million seized
Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel on July 27. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $4 million were seized.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, a river trade vessel departing from Hong Kong for Macao was selected for inspection on the abovementioned date. Upon examination, Customs officers aboard the vessel found large batches of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, cosmetic injection vials, tobacco products, and suspected dried geckos.
Investigations are ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.
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 detected a suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel on July 27. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $4 million were seized. Photo shows some of the suspected smuggled goods seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $5 million
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 24) seized about 12.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of over $5 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday inspected an air parcel, declared as swimming pool sanitisers and arriving in Hong Kong from Spain via France. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the batch of suspected ketamine inside four plastic buckets in the parcel.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation today (August 25) and arrested a local female suspect aged 23 in Kwun Tong. The investigation of the case is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Customs reminds people to pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 yesterday (August 24) seized about 12.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value over $5 million, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
