Hong Kong customs seize US$16.7 million of smuggled goods including drugs, ivory, shark fins, cigarettes and frozen meat in Lunar New Year raids
- Officers detect 1,300 smuggling cases during 27 day operation
- 28 people arrested in 61 cases of drug smuggling
During a 27 day operation, which started on January 14 and ended on February 9, customs arrested 1,203 people in connection with about 1,300 smuggling cases.
Goods from suspected endangered species, including pangolin scales, ivory tusks and products, red sandalwood logs, orchids and controlled shark fins, with an estimated value of about HK$73 million (US$9.4 million), accounted for 146 cases.
Raids uncovered 61 drug smuggling cases, resulting in the arrest of 28 people and the seizure of about 130kg (287 pounds) of suspected illegal drugs with an estimated market value of HK$22 million (US$2.8 million).
Most of the seizures involved methamphetamine, or “Ice”, cannabis, cocaine and gammaButyrolactone (GBL), often used as a date rape drug. The drugs were found mainly in parcels sent by air and on airline passengers.
Officers also seized copyright infringing products worth about HK$540,000 (US$69,233).
