Customs officers foil smuggling by river trade vessel

Customs officers seized a batch of high-value goods comprising assorted computer hard disks, camera lenses and audio accessories worth about $3.4 million from a river trade vessel.

The vessel was searched during an anti-smuggling operation conducted off Conic Island. 

Customs officers of the Marine Enforcement Group yesterday conducted an operation against smuggling activities at the eastern waters of Hong Kong and intercepted the outgoing vessel destined for Shantou.

As a result, Customs officers discovered the 142 cartons of smuggling goods inside an engine room and a concealed compartment in the ballast tank of the vessel.

The master in charge of the vessel, a 35-year-old man, who could not produce any export manifest to cover the seized goods, will be charged with attempting to export unmanifested cargo.