Asia-Pacific News
Hong Kong targets smuggling syndicates
Oct 18, 2010, 5:46 GMT
Hong Kong - Customs officers are targeting cross-border smuggling syndicates after contraband worth about 76 million Hong Kong dollars was seized in 42 land and sea operations since April, a media report said Monday.
The contraband seizures included animal furs, seafood, computer hard disks and untaxed diesel, being smuggled into China to avoid import restrictions and hefty tariffs.
In four operations from the end of September to October 15, marine police confiscated 12 boats including 11 speedboats and seized more than 5 million Hong Kong dollars worth of contraband.
In one incident, two policemen fired eight rounds to stop nine speedboats which tried to break through a marine blockade off Sha Tau Kok, in the north of the territory near the border with China.
'Intelligence shows that smuggling syndicates have to pay compensation of 1,000 Hong Kong dollars for each carton of smuggled goods (which is seized),' one customs officer said.
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