Marine Police seized over $1 million worth of suspected smuggled goods

Marine Police seized over $1 million worth of suspected smuggled goods off East Ping Chau in Mirs Bay last night (June 10) during an anti-smuggling operation.

At about 11.30 pm on June 10, officers of the Small Boat Division spotted four unlit speedboats with cargos onboard travelling east from the vicinity of Round Island towards Mainland waters.

Officers then signaled the speedboats to stop but they accelerated to avoid Police interception. At the same time, a crewman onboard one of the speedboats threw boxes of cargo into the sea.

After a hot pursuit, officers intercepted the speedboat in the vicinity with two mainland men onboard. A large quantity of suspected smuggled goods comprising computer hard disks, projectors, LCD mini displays, LCD displays, printer ink cartridges, lighters and accessories, several rolls of leather and 17 boxes of an unknown white powder were found onboard the speedboat, with an estimated value of over $1 million. The white powder will be sent to the Government Chemist to ascertain its nature.

The two men onboard the vessel, including a 51-year-old coxswain and a 22-year-old crewman, were arrested for attempting to export unmanifested cargo and illegal entry into Hong Kong while the coxswain was additionally arrested for failing to stop and endangering life at sea.

Regional Crime Unit of Marine Police has taken over the case for further enquiries.


Police Report No. 3

Issued by PPRB

End/Sunday, June 11, 2006