Hong Kong and Macao customs authorities reported five smuggling cases involving goods carried by inland river vessels from Hong Kong to Macao. The combined estimated value of the seizures was more than HK$80 million.
Hong Kong’s Customs and Excise Department began a special enforcement operation in late September targeting goods smuggled to Macao by inland river vessel. In three cases, it seized about 790,000 suspected controlled pharmaceutical products, about 150,000 suspected controlled injections, and about 142kg of cigars and tobacco. The goods were valued at more than HK$77 million.
The department also shared intelligence with the Macao Customs Service and took part in joint enforcement. In early October, the Macao service detected two cases involving goods smuggled by inland river vessel from Hong Kong to Macao. It seized drugs, health products and cosmetics, valued at about MOP2.7 million (about HK$2.62 million).
The Hong Kong cases remain under investigation, and the Customs and Excise Department has not ruled out arrests.