Customs nets $29m in smuggled goods from two river trade vessels

Hong Kong Customs intercepted two suspected smuggling cases involving river trade vessels this month, seizing about HK$29 million worth of suspected smuggled goods, including pharmaceutical products, tobacco products, and items suspected to be endangered species.

The seizures followed targeted inspections of two vessels departing Hong Kong for Macau on January 5 and January 8.

Customs officers intercepted the vessels in separate nighttime operations in waters near Black Point, where the ships were found carrying loose bulk cargo instead of standard containerized goods.

During the interceptions, crew members were only able to provide vague cargo records, prompting officers to escort the vessels to the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound for further investigation.

Subsequent inspections uncovered large quantities of undeclared goods, including about 400,000 capsules and 635 bottles of pharmaceutical products, 360 kilograms of tobacco, 5,800 vaping cartridges, 75 kilograms of bird’s nest, 43 kilograms of controlled shark fins, and 4 kilograms of agarwood.

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Notably, about half of the seized pharmaceutical products were identified as oral virility items containing Part 1 poisons.

The confiscated shark fins and agarwood will be handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further testing to determine whether they comply with the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.

Investigations revealed that the vessels’ declared cargo mainly consisted of low-value items such as shoes, clothing, and electronics—an approach believed to be used to conceal high-value illicit goods and evade import controls and taxes.

Customs said investigations into the shippers, consignees, and the origins of the goods are ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Customs reiterated that smuggling is a serious offense. Anyone convicted of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo faces a maximum fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for up to seven years.

Meanwhile, any person convicted of importing, exporting, or possessing endangered species without the required license under the relevant ordinance is liable to a maximum fine of HK$10 million and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.