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 From Hong Kong's Information Services Department
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October 7, 2003
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Anti-smuggling
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Computer gear seized at Lok Ma Chau
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Customs & Excise Department

Customs officers yesterday foiled a smuggling attempt at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and seized $620,000 worth of computer central processing units and hard disks.

 

At about 11.45pm, the officers stopped an outgoing lorry declared to be empty.

 

After a thorough examination, the officers found 237 central processing units and 648 hard disks, worth a total of $620,000, inside a false compartment on the underside of the vehicle.

 

The 49-year-old driver was arrested.

 

Under the Import & Export Ordinance, the maximum penalty for importing unmanifested cargo is a fine of $2 million and seven years' imprisonment.

 

The maximum penalty for altering a vehicle for the purpose of smuggling is a fine of $2 million and seven years' imprisonment. The vehicle involved is liable to forfeiture.

 

The Customs & Excise Department will continue to conduct rigorous enforcement actions against cross-boundary smuggling activities.