Hong Kong Customs has arrested a 47-year-old male driver on suspicion of smuggling after officers confiscated approximately HK$14 million ($1.8 million) worth of electronic components from a container truck he was driving at Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
At a news conference on Monday, officers said that an inspection of the container truck, destined for the Chinese mainland, on Jan 8 uncovered a substantial number of electronic components, including computer memory units, smartphone lenses and motherboards, integrated circuits, and watch movements.
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Approximately HK$1.6 million in tax revenues could have been evaded if the attempt had succeeded, said Leung Man-chun, an inspector for the cross-boundary bridge command of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department.
Detailing the events that led to the arrest, Leung said that an X-ray of the vehicle raised suspicions concerning the mid-section of the 40-foot container attached to the truck. An ensuing examination uncovered three rolls — totaling 22 boxes — of items tucked beneath piles of micromotor materials that had already been declared.
The origin of the seized products is still under investigation, and the likelihood of further arrests has not been ruled out, according to Yung Siu-fung, an investigator for the syndicate crimes investigation bureau at the Customs and Excise Department.
Leung described some of the common tactics offenders use to lower their chances of being caught, which include crossing the border during the peak hours around noon, disguising high-value goods as low-value items, and concealing the items they are attempting to smuggle among goods that they have already declared.
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Duplicate serial numbers, invalid QR codes, and suspicious production and expiry dates marked on the packaging of goods will also arouse suspicion, added Leung.
Leung said those convicted of smuggling undeclared goods are liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million and seven years’ imprisonment.
