Hong Kong Customs detects suspected gold bullion-smuggling case by air worth about $46 million (with photo)
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Hong Kong Customs on March 5 detected a suspected air freight gold bullion-smuggling case, and seized about 64 kilograms of suspected gold bullion with an estimated market value of about $46 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). This is the largest gold bullion-smuggling case detected by Hong Kong Customs on record in terms of the seizure volume and market value.
Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day examined an outbound air cargo consignment, declared as carrying toys, lamps and hats departing for Japan, at the Customs Cargo Examination Compound at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected smuggled gold bullion in four cardboard boxes therein.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).