Hong Kong Customs Seizes 10.1 Tonnes of Smuggled Wagyu Beef and Arrests Five in Speedboat Operation

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected frozen Wagyu beef smuggling case involving speedboat

​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 2) mounted an anti-smuggling operation in the south-western waters of Hong Kong and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a speedboat. About 10.1 tonnes of suspected smuggled frozen Wagyu beef and a high-powered speedboat equipped with six outboard engines, with a total estimated market value of about $21 million, were seized.

Last night, Customs officers conducted an anti-smuggling operation in waters west of Lamma Island and spotted a suspicious speedboat heading towards Mainland waters at a high speed, with its navigation light off. Officers immediately took action to pursue and intercept the speedboat, but the speedboat accelerated and fled.

Later, Customs stopped the speedboat in waters off the south of Lamma Island and boarded the vessel for investigation. The speedboat was discovered to be equipped with six powerful outboard engines and the batch of suspected smuggled frozen Wagyu beef was seized onboard the vessel. Five men, aged between 22 and 36, were also arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs stresses that it will keep up its enforcement action and will continue to vigorously combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on such activities.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected frozen Wagyu beef smuggling case involving speedboat Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected frozen Wagyu beef smuggling case involving speedboat Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo delegation begins duty visit to Japan

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council (LegCo) delegation (the delegation), led by the President of LegCo, Mr Andrew Leung, began a four-day duty visit in Japan today (December 21) to strengthen ties with Japan and gain a deeper understanding of the latest situations and opportunities of the country in the areas of trade, culture and tourism, fisheries and agriculture, and food safety.

Upon arrival in Tokyo, the delegation had dinner and exchanged views with representatives of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo. Members and the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, discussed issues such as fostering the bilateral economic and trade relations between Hong Kong and Japan, attracting investment, and promoting Hong Kong tourism. Members also gained insight into the latest developments of Japanese culture, and explored the opportunities for collaboration between Hong Kong and Japan’s cultural industries. Mr Leung expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo for their assistance in facilitating this duty visit.

The delegation will continue their duty visit in Japan tomorrow (December 22).

The delegation is led by Mr Leung. The Deputy delegation leader is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Liaison Subcommittee, Mr Tommy Cheung. Other participating Subcommittee members are Mr Jeffrey Lam, Mr Dominic Lee, Ms Nixie Lam, Ms Joephy Chan, Mr Tang Fei and Mr Yim Kong.

LegCo delegation begins duty visit to Japan Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases