Customs seize electronic waste worth HK$12 million, arresting one
Customs intercepted multiple pieces of electronic waste worth HK$12 million, including computer parts and television set-up boxes, in a batch of smuggling items exported from Hong Kong to Malaysia, arresting a 57-year-old woman.
Officers announced on Monday that the haul of smuggling items was uncovered in two containers on board an ocean-going vessel to Malaysia on February 21.
According to Inspector Lai Siu-ming of Customs' syndicate crimes investigation bureau, the goods were reported as aluminum alloy by the sender while officers found it suspicious under the X-ray examination.
A total of 13 tons of electronic waste including computer parts, as well as around 1,600 television set-up boxes and 1,800 vehicle parts were found in the two containers.
"The batch of electronic waste was classified as 'harmful' under our preliminary investigation," said Lai, "and the sender of the containers has conducted illegal export as failing to apply for an export permit."
A 57-year-old woman who was learned to be the sender of the containers was now in custody pending further inspection.