Police seize over $12 million worth of smuggled goods

Marine Police seized a total of 636,000 pieces of optical discs and a quantity of negative films worth over $12 million and arrested 11 men during an anti-smuggling operation near Waglan Island last (April 12) night.

Codenamed "Ballkicker", the operation was jointly conducted by Marine East Division and Small Boat Division.

At about 8.30 pm yesterday, officers of the Marine Small Boat Division spotted some vessels off Wagland Island. Following a chase, Police successfully intercepted one speedboat in the vicinity.

A total of 123 boxes with 123,000 pieces of optical discs and a small quantity of negative films were found on the speedboat.

Two male mainlanders, aged 25 and 43, on board the speedboat were then arrested for attempting to export unmanifested cargo after failing to produce the manifest document.

Meanwhile, another Police launch discovered a Hong Kong cargo vessel escaping from the scene. The cargo vessel was subsequently intercepted off Shek O.

A total of 513 boxes with 513,000 pieces of optical discs were seized on board. Nine Hong Kong men, aged between 20 and 27, on the cargo vessel were arrested for assisting in exporting unmanifested cargo.

All arrested men were still being detained for enquiries.

Investigations by Marine Regional Crime Unit are still proceeding.


Police Report No. 9

Issued by PPRB

End/Thursday, April 13, 2006