HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police conducted a joint operation against sea smuggling and successfully cracked down on a suspected case of smuggling by speedboats at the seashore of Tsam Chuk Wan, Sai Kung here the other day. A total of 446 kilogrammes of suspected red sandalwood, an endangered species, valued at about $179,000, were seized.
Customs officers and Marine Police this morning spotted two suspicious speedboats at the seashore of Tsam Chuk Wan, Sai Kung. A private car and four men then arrived at the scene and started to transfer wood logs from the private car onto the speedboats.
Officers immediately took enforcement action. The four men jumped onto one of the speedboats and fled. As a result, 14 pieces of suspected red sandalwood were seized, and the private car and speedboat detained.
The case is still under investigation.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
The Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against sea smuggling activities. Members of the public can report suspected smuggling activities to the Customs through the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
