HK$18mn Smuggled Luxury Goods Seized

Customs and marine police officers have seized goods worth an estimated market value of HK$18 million during an anti-smuggling operation earlier this week.

Officers said they found more than 100 boxes of goods and stopped a smuggling attempt in waters off the airport on Lantau.

They said the items seized include dried shark fins, edible bird's nest, electronic products, wine, designer clothes and cigars.

They also said nine people managed to escape on a speedboat towards the mainland direction.

Officers believe the smuggling activity was triggered by demands from mainland customers, who might find it difficult to buy the products in Hong Kong due to mandatory quarantine arrangements, and the fact that ports are closed due to the pandemic.

Customs said goods worth more than HK$280 million have been confiscated so far this year in cases relating to smuggling by sea – up from HK$160 million for the whole of last year.