Customs seize HK$4m worth of venison tails and dried shark fins

An anti-smuggling operation by customs saw officers seize HK$4 million worth of frozen venison tails and dried shark fins in Tung Chung on Friday. 

Customs conducted the operation in Ma Wan Chung early Friday morning and spotted a light goods vehicle heading towards a waterfront. 

Some people later gathered at the waterfront and were suspected of engaging in smuggling activities as they were seen transferring the goods from the vehicle onto the speedboat. 

Officers immediately took action and the suspects swiftly jumped onto the speedboat and fled to the mainland waters. 

Customs also sent speedboats to pursue the suspects and go on patrol in the area but to no avail. 

Officers then discovered another light goods vehicle which was loaded with suspected smuggled goods in a nearby car park. It was suspected to be connected with the same smuggling activity. 

The suspected smuggled goods included 24 carton boxes of frozen venison tails, 10 bags of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, and 14 carton boxes of aquarium animals. 

An investigation is ongoing, customs said, adding that they will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against cross-boundary smuggling activities. 

Customs also warned that smuggling is a serious offense and offenders could face a maximum penalty of a HK$2 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment.