- Tax-dodging suspects abandon goods destined for mainland but evade capture in speedboat getaway
- Haul of electronics and high-end pens is the biggest from all 47 sea-smuggling cases detected so far in 2019
Law enforcers made the biggest sea-smuggling bust of the year in Hong Kong with the seizure of HK$20 million (US$2.5 million) worth of electronic goods destined for mainland China, a senior customs official said on Thursday.
But the seven smugglers managed to flee in a mainland-bound speedboat, taking advantage of construction works in waters near Hong Kong International Airport to elude four high-speed pursuit crafts.
"During the sea chase, the speedboat was running at a speed of 50 knots to evade capture," said Jonathan Leung Yiu-man, of customs' marine enforcement group.
He said in addition to strong winds and big waves, obstacles in the water, such as building works and barges, made it difficult for his officers to give chase in a pursuit that lasted five minutes.
Customs officers began investigating a cross-border smuggling syndicate in Ma Wan Chung in Tung Chung on Lantau Island after receiving intelligence about two weeks ago.
According to Leung, the criminal ring carried out surveillance of its own across land and sea before each operation.
"The gang used sampans to patrol the sea, had lookouts to scout nearby hillsides and deployed cars to block the main access to its loading bay," he said.
After a two-week surveillance operation, customs officers laid in wait near a Ma Wan Chung pier that was used to load the goods on Tuesday evening.
At about 8.30pm, a speedboat without its navigation light on was manoeuvred to the pier. Six men were seen using a sliding board to transfer boxes onto the boat from a seven-seater Toyota Alphard.
When officers moved in, the group dumped the goods and jumped onto the speedboat, which accelerated away.
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It was last seen leaving Hong Kong waters in the direction of Shekou, in the mainland province of Guangdong. No one was arrested in the operation. Investigations were continuing.
On shore, officers impounded the car and seized 34 boxes of goods that included computer hard disks, integrated circuit boards, electronic components and Montblanc pens.
'Largest smuggling bust' as Hong Kong officials seize mainland-bound goods
It is believed the goods, worth an estimated HK$20 million, were destined for the mainland to evade hefty taxes.
The haul is the biggest from all 47 sea-smuggling cases detected so far this year, bringing the total value of seized goods to HK$78 million, he said.
In the whole of last year, there were 63 sea-smuggling cases involving the seizure of goods with a value totalling HK$151 million.
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