Hong Kong customs arrests woman once more for hiding HK$330,000 worth of Chinese yuan in tailor-made multi-pocket vest
- Woman, 62, was stopped for inspection at border checkpoint upon her return from Shenzhen on Tuesday
- She was arrested at the same checkpoint for the same offence last year
A 62-year-old Hong Kong woman has been arrested for the second time in a year after bringing in HK$330,000 (US$42,200) worth of Chinese yuan hidden in a tailor-made vest with multiple pockets upon her return from Shenzhen, the Post has learned.
The Customs and Excise Department on Wednesday said the city resident was detained on Tuesday on suspicion of failing to declare the import of the money, an offence punishable by up to two years in jail and a HK$500,000 fine.
The seized cash exceeded HK$120,000, the limit stipulated by the Cross-boundary Movement of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Ordinance.
The law, which came into effect in 2018, aims to prevent criminal proceeds and terrorist funding from entering the city.
Travellers in possession of currency or “bearer negotiable instruments” such as cheques or money orders valued at more than HK$120,000 must declare them. Cargo owners are required to make the declaration in advance.
The woman was stopped for inspection at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line border checkpoint linked to the East Rail line when she returned to the city from Shenzhen around midday on Tuesday.
Officers first discovered a small batch of undeclared banknotes in local and mainland Chinese currency in an eco-bag she was carrying.
