Hong Kong Customs has conducted a special investigation nicknamed ‘Big Wave’ in June and discovered three suspected smuggling incidents involving ocean-going vessels.
A huge quantity of suspected illegal items worth around HK$100 million ($12.8 million) was confiscated.
Customs suspected that criminals were smuggling items via ocean-going vessels based on intelligence analysis and risk assessments.
Strategies were developed, and three suspected containers slated to go from Hong Kong to Malaysia via ocean-going vessels were chosen for examination.
READ: Hong Kong Customs seizes illegally imported cigarettes
Customs authorities discovered a large number of suspected smuggled electronic products, including printed circuit boards, smart phones, computer tablets, and vehicle components, in three containers labelled as containing aluminium flakes, alloys, and communication equipment, respectively.
Following further investigations, customs authorities apprehended a 60-year-old man suspected of involvement in one of the aforementioned incidents.
Hong Kong Customs noted that investigations have commenced. The accused individual was reportedly freed on bond pending further investigation.
According to Hong Kong Customs, under the Import and Export Ordinance, anybody found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo faces a maximum punishment of $2 million and a seven-year prison sentence.
In February, Hong Kong Customs seized approximately 1,200 kilogrammes of dried shark fins from protected species inside a container.
