Hong Kong customs seizes HK$100 million haul of smuggled goods bound for Malaysia
- Senior investigator says mainland China may have been ultimate destination for goods, including mobile phones and computer components
Hong Kong customs officers have confiscated about HK$100 million (US$12.8 million) worth of smuggled goods, including mobile phones, computer components and vehicle parts, in three separate shipments destined for Malaysia.
Senior Investigator Lam Chun-hing said on Friday he did not rule out the possibility that mainland China might have been the ultimate destination as there was a demand for electronic products there.
“If the goods had successfully been smuggled into the mainland, up to HK$20 million in tariffs could have been evaded,” Lam of customs’ syndicate crimes investigation bureau said.
A 60-year-old man, a logistics company director, was arrested in connection with one of the shipments, he added.
The suspect was detained on suspicion of attempting to export unmanifested cargo, a crime punishable by up to seven years in jail and a HK$2 million fine under the Import and Export Ordinance.
Lam said they were investigating links between the three cases despite the different senders and receivers listed in the shipping documents.
He also said customs officers would seek help from their counterparts in Malaysia to investigate the consignees in that country.
The three shipments were discovered during a crackdown on criminals who intended to use ocean-going vessels to smuggle contraband, according to the Customs and Excise Department.
The three containers were selected for inspection before being loaded into Malaysia-bound vessels at the Kwai Chung container terminal on June 10, 17 and 23.
Lam said the shipments were declared as carrying aluminium flakes, aluminium alloy or communication accessories.
He said customs officers opened the containers for inspection at the Kwai Chung Customhouse cargo examination compound after X-ray screening revealed suspicious images.
“Hundreds of boxes and bags containing the smuggled goods were blatantly placed inside the containers, without any concealment or covers,” Lam said. “Smugglers were hoping that law enforcers would not inspect the containers.”
He said the seized items included circuit boards, mobile phones, tablets and vehicle parts, adding the haul had an estimated street value of HK$100 million.
The 60-year-old suspect had been released on bail, pending further investigation.
Lam said the investigations into the origin and final destinations of the goods were still under way and further arrests were not ruled out.
He said customs would continue stringent enforcement actions to combat cross-border smuggling activities.
