Four speedboats with their navigation lights switched off were discovered at two Sai Kung shore locations during a police and Customs operation, as several men transferred cargo into trucks. The suspected smugglers boarded the boats and fled, but officers seized about four million illicit cigarettes and detained two trucks.
The boats were found early on 21 September at Ah Kung Wan and Lung Ha Wan, with two at each location. Police and Customs said the operation followed an investigation and intelligence analysis into suspected smuggling activity in waters around Sai Kung.
When officers moved in, the men carrying the goods from the boats to shore-side vehicles got back on board and escaped. The four speedboats headed into waters southeast of Hong Kong and in the direction of the mainland, according to the police account.
The cigarettes had an estimated market value of approximately HK$18 million and an estimated duty value of approximately HK$13 million.
The operation involved two smuggling cases, which have been handed to Customs for follow-up.