[Commentary] On April 23, the Hong Kong Customs held a press conference to announce that the Customs carried out a large-scale anti-smuggling operation at sea on April 22, and detected a case involving the smuggling of speedboats and ships at the sea opposite the Hong Kong International Airport. Suspected of smuggling frozen meat, it is estimated that the market value is about 6.5 million Hong Kong dollars. The destination of smuggling frozen meat is the Mainland. During the operation, the Customs and Excise arrested 15 men, aged between 23 and 65. This is the largest smuggling of frozen meat in Hong Kong so far in 2020.
[Commentary] Inspector Li Yanping of the Special Investigation Division of the Organized Crime Investigation Division of the Hong Kong Customs believes that the perpetrators wanted to take advantage of the downpour in the evening to smuggle frozen meat through the Hong Kong to the mainland. However, the customs quickly intercepted the vessel and conducted an arrest operation. The case is still under investigation and larger arrests cannot be ruled out.
[Same period] Li Yanping, Inspector, Special Investigation Division, Organized Crime Investigation Division, Hong Kong Customs
The Hong Kong Customs took decisive enforcement actions yesterday (April 22). Two ships smuggling frozen meat were found in the sea area opposite the (airport) three-run project, and a large amount of frozen meat was being transferred to the mainland (sea area) The fast boat approached smuggled the frozen meat to the mainland in the form of fast bulk cargo. So although the weather was very bad last night and Hong Kong was affected by strong winds, we thought the time was ripe and we took decisive enforcement actions.
[Commentary] Huang Yalun, commander of the Marine Assault and Strategic Planning Group of the Port and Maritime Division of the Hong Kong Customs, said that a total of 100 people were dispatched and several high-speed customs interception boats were deployed in this customs operation. It is estimated that the smuggling speedboat involved in the case is driving at a speed of more than 40 nautical miles You can leave Hong Kong waters and go to the mainland waters in about 2 to 3 minutes after shipment. The frozen beef and beef offal seized this time are presumed to be from India and the United States according to the packaging. There is a problem with the quality of these meats. There is no freezing equipment and ice cubes on board. If they are smuggled into the mainland market, they may cause extreme damage to the mainland residents. A big food safety hazard.
[Commentary] Li Yanping also said that since the beginning of 2020, Hong Kong has seized 5 cases of smuggling frozen meat at sea, seized about 390 tons of frozen meat, worth about 17 million Hong Kong dollars, and arrested 52 people.
Reporter Zheng Haoxi Zhu Aili reports from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Wang Kai]