Two mainlanders arrested for smuggling HK$1.9m of frozen Wagyu
Two mainland men were arrested during an anti-smuggling operation on Thursday night, in which officers seized about 560 kg of frozen Wagyu beef worth HK$1.9 million on a speedboat near Lung Kwu Sheung Tan beach.
Marine police and customs mounted the operation around 8.30 pm last night in the waters west of Hong Kong after intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations.
Officers first spotted a suspicious speedboat entering Hong Kong waters from the mainland and sailing towards Lung Kwu Sheung. The speedboat pulled over for a short while and headed back to the mainland borders.
Officers immediately took action and intercepted the speedboat in the waters west of the border, on which officers seized 21 boxes of Wagyu beef weighing about 560 kg and valued at about HK41.9 million.
The two mainland men aged 35 and 37 onboard were then arrested for illegal entry and conspiracy to export unmanifested cargo. They were remanded in custody, and an investigation by customs is ongoing.
Police warned the public that smuggling is a serious offense and the maximum penalty upon conviction carries a HK$2 million fine and seven years imprisonment.