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Jack Deng

Hong Kong customs officers have seized HK$6 million (US$768,000) worth of smuggled goods, including fish maws and shark fins, with officers noting a surge in contraband in the run-up to Lunar New Year.
A 52-year-old woman, director of a consignor company, was also arrested following the confiscation of the goods at Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound last week.
The smuggled items, which were destined for Vietnam, were detected when a container underwent an X-ray examination.
“The smugglers mixed them with normal declared goods as a cover,” said Wong Wing-yan of the syndicate crimes investigation bureau.

Wong added that about 10 per cent of the smuggled goods were skin care products, 45 per cent were dried seafood and the rest were pharmaceutical items.
“We have discovered that the confiscated shark fins and pharmaceutical products fall under regulated categories requiring permits,” she said. “This raises our suspicion that it could be the motive of smuggling.”
Up to HK$3 million could have been evaded if the goods were successfully smuggled, she added.
The customs officers said they noticed a rise in the smuggling of festive products as the Lunar New Year approached.
Wong said they also observed a shift in the smuggling pattern.

“Previously, offenders smuggled directly to mainland China using ocean vessels, now they export goods via ocean-going vessels to Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Singapore or Malaysia before finding ways to transport the items back to the mainland,” she added.
In this case, customs said that officers marked four containers, which were being prepared to be shipped to Vietnam by an ocean-going vessel, for inspection on December 27, thanks to risk assessment.
2 arrested at Hong Kong airport over dried shark fins worth HK$2.6 million
The suspect was released on bail, while customs said it did not rule out further arrests as investigations continued.
Separately, customs on Tuesday stopped a cross-boundary truck suspected of being used for smuggling as part of an operation at the Lok Ma Chau control point. A 42-year-old driver is assisting in the investigation.
About 180,000 pieces of integrated circuits, 300 pieces of mobile phone displays, 100 sets of security alarm systems and 80 closed-circuit television cameras, with an estimated market value of about HK$1.5 million, were seized.
Hong Kong customs arrests 7, seizes illegal cigarettes worth HK$100 million
On December 20, a cross-border smuggling case involving a tour bus was uncovered at the Shenzhen Bay control point. Officers seized 150kg (331lbs) of bird nests and 710 boxes of suspected pharmaceuticals, valued at HK$7.8 million.
Customs warned importing or exporting unmanifested cargo was a serious offence under the Import and Export Ordinance punishable by seven years in prison and a maximum fine of HK$2 million.


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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes suspected smuggled goods worth HK$6 million, including fish maw, shark fins

Customs displays the goods seized during the operation. The smuggled items were destined for Vietnam, according to the department. Photo: Elson Li

Evidence seized by customs is displayed. Up to HK$3 million could have been evaded if the goods were successfully smuggled, according to the department. Photo: Elson Li

Evidence seized by customs is displayed. Officers on Tuesday stopped a cross-boundary truck suspected of being used for smuggling as part of an operation at the Lok Ma Chau control point. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong customs arrests 100 passengers at airport over drug smuggling this year, seizes narcotics worth HK$220 million

Customs officers seized 233kg of illegal drugs at the airport this year. Photo: Customs and Excise Department

Hong Kong customs seized 1.8kg of suspected cocaine worth about HK$2 million from two passengers at the airport over the weekend. Photo: Customs and Excise Department

Hong Kong customs arrests suspected smugglers of pricey pets, seizes pedigree kittens and puppies

One of the cats that smugglers are suspected of bringing into the city illegally. The animals are now in the care of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Photo: Handout

Two puppies were among the haul. Customs says the animals seized are all expensive breeds. Photo: Handout

Two of the seized cats. Importation of animals without a permit is punishable by up to a year in jail and a HK$50,000 fine. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Woman, 52, was arrested following seizure of smuggled goods, which were intended for Vietnam
Authorities point to a surge in contraband in the run-up to the Lunar New Year next month


Woman, 52, was arrested following seizure of smuggled goods, which were intended for Vietnam.


Hong Kong customs seizes suspected smuggled goods worth HK$6 million, including fish maw, shark fins

Woman, 52, was arrested following seizure of smuggled goods, which were intended for Vietnam Authorities point to a surge in contraband in the run-up to the Lunar New Year next month

Woman, 52, was arrested following seizure of smuggled goods, which were intended for Vietnam

Authorities point to a surge in contraband in the run-up to the Lunar New Year next month