The Customs and Excise Department seized about 570kg of suspected smuggled frozen meat and about 500kg of other food from three vans on November 3. The haul, including seafood, prepared food, fruit and vegetables, was estimated to be worth about HK$140,000. Nine people were arrested and released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs said the suspected operation brought frozen meat from mainland China through Chung Ying Street, then moved goods to a distribution point in Yau Ma Tei for delivery to markets or homes. It said the group mixed frozen meat with cooked food and used staged deliveries to evade detection.
The adverts claimed the meat would be delivered under a cold chain. Customs said the goods were instead transported in ordinary foam boxes without proper refrigeration. Ice had melted in some boxes, while some goods had no ice at all. The journey from Sha Tau Kok to the city took about four hours.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said the seized meat, poultry and eggs had no health certificates issued by authorities in their places of origin. An inspector said improper storage during transport could allow bacteria to grow and increase food-safety risks.