Hong Kong Customs on Nov. 20 detected a suspected smuggling case involving a cross-boundary goods vehicle at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and seized about 438 kilograms of suspected smuggled bird's nests with an estimated market value of about HK$32 million. This is the largest on record among bird's nests smuggling cases detected by Customs at land boundary control points in terms of the market value of the seizure.
Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an outbound goods vehicle declared to contain game consoles at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. Upon inspection, Customs officers found 12 pallets of goods inside the cargo compartment of the vehicle, and the batch of suspected smuggled bird's nests was seized from the bottom carton boxes on three of the pallets.
After an investigation, Customs arrested a 58-year-old male driver suspected to be connected with the case. He has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offense. 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.
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).
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