Customs seize smuggled silver ingots worth HK$1.2m

Customs on Thursday said they had seized approximately 63 kilos of silver ingots with an estimated market value of HK$1.2 million during an anti-smuggling operation at Lok Ma Chau checkpoint. Officers, acting on intelligence, stopped an outgoing medium goods vehicle for inspection on April 14. Hidden within the vehicle's hydraulic pump box, authorities discovered the concealed silver bars. The 40-year-old driver was arrested at the scene and has been released on bail pending further investigation. "Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis," the Customs and Excise Department said. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction. Edited by Tony Sabine