HONG KONG: In a joint operation between Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police, dozens of boxes packed with everything from electronics to live lizards were recovered from a suspected speedboat smuggling attempt here the other night.
A total of 10,000 mobile phones, 229 cameras, 129kg of (suspected) pangolin scales, 10kg of (suspected) hornbill beak and large batches of live lizards, spiders and tortoises, were left behind in a truck when several suspects fled from police in a speedboat they were apparently loading up.
The officers moved in after seeing “several suspicious men” (presumably wearing black eye masks and stripy t-shirts) loading goods onto the boat in the Rambler Channel Public Cargo Working Area.
Customs estimates the haul to have a total value of HKD10 million.
One 27-year-old man (nice bunch of mates he’s got) was arrested at the scene. Investigations are continuing.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, anyone found guilty of smuggling electronics and the like is liable to a maximum fine of HKD2 million and seven years’ imprisonment.
If you’re trafficking defenceless live animals instead, you’re only looking at a maximum fine of HKD50,000 and and six months in jail.
