Marine police and customs officers intercepted a smuggling operation in Sai Kung early Thursday, seizing HK$3.5 million worth of contraband cigarettes before suspects escaped toward mainland Chinese waters on a speedboat.
During the joint operation conducted by the Marine Regional Task Force, Marine Outer Waters Task Force, Marine East Division, and Customs Marine Joint Task Force, officers observed an unlit speedboat approaching the Sai Kung Promenade shoreline around midnight. Several suspicious men were seen transferring goods from the vessel to a truck on shore.
When officers moved to intercept, the suspects immediately boarded the speedboat and fled at high speed toward eastern Hong Kong waters. Marine police gave chase but discontinued pursuit as the vessel crossed into mainland Chinese jurisdiction.
Authorities confiscated 73 cases of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$3.5 million and duty value of HK$2.6 million from the truck and shoreline. During the search, officers also discovered a suspected ice pipe drug apparatus in the vehicle.
The truck has been impounded for further investigation.
