This undated photo shows some of the suspected smuggled goods worth HK$1.5 billion ($191.6 million) that were confiscated at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals on June 13, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – Customs officers in Hong Kong have foiled the city’s biggest smuggling case on record after seizing suspected smuggled goods worth HK$1.5 billion ($191.6 million) earlier this month.

Hong Kong Customs said in a statement that it busted the smuggling operation on June 13 at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals after intercepting 15 containers bound for the Chinese mainland via Singapore.

The containers, declared to be carrying wood pulp, had wooden boxes that contained 1.1 billion pieces of electronic goods, including integrated circuits, printed circuit boards and capacitors; about 25 tonnes of expensive food ingredients; 20,000 bottles of table wines; about 27,000 pieces of classical music CDs and vinyl records, and endangered species

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The containers, declared to be carrying wood pulp, had wooden boxes that contained 1.1 billion pieces of electronic goods, including integrated circuits, printed circuit boards and capacitors; about 25 tonnes of expensive food ingredients; 20,000 bottles of table wines; about 27,000 pieces of classical music CDs and vinyl records, and endangered species.

“This is the largest smuggling case detected by Customs on record in terms of the seizure value,” the statement reads.

Customs said it arrested a 45-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case after the containers were detained. He was later released on bail pending further investigation while the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs said it got wind of the operation after learning that criminals might be using ocean-going vessels to smuggle goods to the mainland via Southeast Asian countries.

This undated photo shows some of the suspected smuggled electronics goods  confiscated at the the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals on June 13, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

It reiterated that smuggling is a serious offence and any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Also, under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a license is liable to a maximum fine of HK$10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.