Five arrested in HK$5.2m meat smuggling bust

Customs officers have on Thursday arrested five people in waters off Lantau for allegedly attempting to smuggle HK$5.2 million worth of frozen meat into the mainland.

Officer said on Friday that they suspected the HK$5.2 million haul - including pig maw and tripe, was being smuggled to the mainland amid high demand for meat ahead of the Lunar New Year.

A cargo vessel was intercepted during the operation as the suspects were transferring the meat from a speedboat - which sped off into mainland waters when officers moved in on them.

The five, aged between 38 to 56, were caught red-handed. An investigation is ongoing and all arrestees have been released on bail pending further investigation, according to Customs.

Senior investigator Wong Chi-keung said smugglers are now using vessels with higher mobility to make sure they have a greater chance of escaping law enforcement officers and to minimize their losses.

Wong also said he was worried about the quality of the meat being transported, given the boat officers stopped on Thursday was without any cold storage.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years.