HONG KONG – Customs officers announced yesterday that they seized smuggled goods worth more than HK$56 million last week on a Macau-bound vessel at Black Point near Tuen Mun.
Officers said after carrying out the appropriate analysis and risk assessment, the vessel departing from Hong Kong for Macau was selected for inspection on January 21.
Upon examination of the boat, customs officers found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, cosmetic injections, tobacco products, e-cigarette cartridges, watches, mobile phones, tablets, and clothing.
Syndicate Crimes Investigation Bureau Special Unit investigator Shirley Woo told reporters at a briefing that there has been a growing trend of needles used for medical or beauty treatments being smuggled.
She reminded the public not to buy these needles from unknown origins.
“The general public should really read about the ingredients of different beauty needles they want to import or export, but mostly the majority of these beauty needles are strictly restricted under our law.”
Customs officers believe smugglers had been trying to avoid paying tax on the items.
Investigations are ongoing and officers said the likelihood of arrests has not been ruled out. – RTHK, MPD
Contraband seized from a Macau-bound vessel in Hong Kong last week, worth more than HK$56 million, is shown to the media in Hong Kong yesterday. – Photo courtesy of RTHK
