Eleven men arrested for smuggling $16M contraband goods

Marine Police arrested 11 men and seized a large quantity of contraband computer products worth $16 million on board a Hong Kong cargo vessel near Long Ke Wan in Sai Kung yesterday (February 28).

At about 8.30 am on February 28, Marine Police's Small Boat Division (SBDIV) mounted an anti-smuggling operation and spotted on radar seven speed boats entering Hong Kong waters from Mirs Point in the Mainland.

Officers of the SBDIV kept watching the speed boats and they were later found approaching a cargo vessel which moved towards Long Ke Wan.

With the assistance of the helicopter of Government Flying Services, the speed boats were seen loading cargoes from the cargo vessel. Upon seeing the helicopter, all speed boats fled in the direction of the Mainland and were later seen leaving Hong Kong waters.

A Police Launch was immediately deployed to scene and intercepted the cargo vessel off Long Ke Wan. Eleven Hong Kong men aged between 22 and 61 were found on board the vessel. The vessel was directed to move to Rocky Harbour for inspection. The men were arrested for exporting unmanifested cargo after failing to produce a valid manifest.

The vessel was towed to Marine East Divisional base for detailed search. A large quantity of contraband computer products comprising hard disks, RAM chips, used notebook computers and semiconductors worth about $16 million were found packing inside 782 boxes.

Investigations by the Marine Police Regional Crime Unit are proceeding. The arrestees are being detained for enquiries.


Police Report No. 1
Issued by PPRB

End/Thursday, March 1, 2007