Hong Kong customs seized 70 boxes of live lobsters as part of a contraband haul worth HK$11 million (US$1.4 million) before the goods could be shipped to mainland China to capitalise on high demand ahead of an extended weekend break, the Post learned on Friday.
The haul from Thursday included HK$1 million worth of lobsters, 180kg (396lbs) of dried fish maw valued at HK$740,000 and HK$8 million in mobile phones, according to the Customs and Excise Department.
A source familiar with the case said he believed the seafood products seized in the operation were intended for the mainland to meet demand for the coming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.
This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 29, with the break traditionally considered a time for families to reunite over lavish meals and take in the full moon.
HK$180 million haul marks Hong Kong customs’ biggest local cocaine bust in 4 years
HK$180 million haul marks Hong Kong customs’ biggest local cocaine bust in 4 years
The department said the illegal smuggling operation took place at the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market on Thursday night.
A speedboat with its navigation light turned off was spotted nearing Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter at around 9.30pm.
The vessel berthed at a pier at the fish market, with several men on the shore observed loading boxes onto the speedboat.
Customs officers attempted to intercept the group on the pier, prompting the porters to abandon the cargo and flee the scene via the speedboat.
The source said a pursuit boat was deployed to give chase but the smugglers’ vessel was equipped with two outboard engines and managed to escape, leaving local waters and heading towards the mainland.
Officers at the pier discovered 87 boxes and eight bags of contraband goods, including 1,600 live lobsters, fish maw and mobile phones, as well as bird nests, computer hard disks and tablets.
Hong Kong customs seizes HK$230 million of cocaine hidden in chicken feet shipment
Hong Kong customs seizes HK$230 million of cocaine hidden in chicken feet shipment
The department said the haul had an estimated street value of HK$11 million.
No arrests were made in the operation. Members of the department’s syndicate crimes investigation bureau are following up on the case.
The source said the smugglers had hoped to evade mainland tariffs and import restrictions, noting the seized contraband products would have been subject to tariffs of between 30 and 100 per cent.
“Smugglers could have evaded as much as HK$10 million in tariffs if all the goods were successfully taken across the border,” he said, adding that the department was still investigating the source of the goods.
In Hong Kong, exporting unmanifested cargo is punishable by up to seven years in jail and a HK$2 million fine under the Import and Export Ordinance.
