HONG KONG: A HK$2 million consignment of goods bound for mainland China was seized in a joint anti-smuggling operation mounted by customs and police officers in Hong Kong waters last night.
Fourteen boxes of goods including mobile phones, cameras, computer hard disks, animal furs and bird nests were confiscated at the Sheung Sze Wan Road waterfront in Tseung Kwan O.
A group of suspected smugglers fled on two speedboats and no one was arrested in the operation, according to police.
As officers were carrying out surveillance off Tseung Kwan O at about 10pm yesterday, two speedboats were seen manoeuvring off the Sheung Sze Wan Road waterfront.
“The speedboats berthed at the waterfront shortly after a car arrived. Several men then started loading boxes from the car onto the speedboats,” police said.
Police said that when officers rushed out, the smugglers dumped the goods and escaped in the two speedboats, which were seen heading towards the mainland.
On land, officers seized 14 boxes of goods and impounded the car. It is understood officers were trying to locate the car’s owner.
The Customs and Excise Department was following up the case, according to police.
About six weeks ago, officers seized goods worth HK$1.5 million in another joint anti-smuggling operation in Tseung Kwan O.
