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Clifford Lo

Customs confiscated HK$174 million worth of contraband goods bound for the mainland in the first six months of the year, dealing what officers say is a heavy blow to cross-border smuggling syndicates.
The seizure represents a 142 per cent rise over what was intercepted in the same period last year, an increase due largely to the elite Syndicate Crimes Investigation Bureau set up in January to tackle the problem.
A senior customs officer said the networks had been denied a large amount of high-value goods and were forced to pay compensation to clients.
Intelligence showed that the compensation can be up to 30 or 40 per cent of the total value of the illegal goods, he said.
The loss might have forced some gangs out of business, but others would take over, the officer said.
"If a rooster is dead, another one will arise and crow. A lot of people are eager to get a share of this high-profit business," the officer said, adding that a gang could pocket HK$1 million from one shipment.
Some well-organised syndicates are understood to have their own fleets of cargo vessels and delivery trucks.
"The syndicates will offer door-to-door delivery services," said another officer involved in anti-smuggling operations.
To evade detection, the goods are driven to container yards in different parts of the New Territories and are put into new shipping containers before being ferried to the mainland via legitimate logistics businesses, the officer said.
It is understood the gangs receive about 10 per cent of the value of the illegal goods. Most clients are mainland businessmen who want to avoid mainland taxes and import restrictions.
So far this year, the 203-member bureau has intercepted 43 consignments of contraband worth HK$174 million and arrested 54 people.
The goods include mobile phones, tablet computers, hard disks, precious metals, vehicle parts and products from endangered species. The most common destination is Guangdong.
The new bureau's predecessor, a special task force, seized HK$72 million worth of contraband in anti-smuggling operations in the first six months of last year. The bureau's assistant superintendent, Chan Tsz-tat, said the rise in the value of seizures was the result of enhanced enforcement action and increased intelligence exchange with mainland authorities.
In May, his team made the biggest seizure in five years from a cargo vessel after finding HK$75 million in contraband goods.


Customs bolsters seizures by 142pc

Cameras, lens and dried sea horse seized by the Customs and Excise Department. Photo: Nora Tam

News

Hong Kong

A new elite task force has intercepted HK$174 million worth of goods bound for the mainland over the past six months


Customs confiscated HK$174 million worth of contraband goods bound for the mainland in the first six months of the year, dealing what officers say is a heavy blow to cross-border smuggling syndicates.
