Customs smashes Hong Kong money-laundering ring accused of smuggling HK$166 million over world’s longest sea crossing

The case is said to be the first to involve bulk cash smuggling and the use of cross-border couriers. Investigators suspect part of the cash was laundered through Macau casinos.
Vietnam resolved to fight money laundering, terrorist financing Vietnam resolved to fight money laundering, terrorist financing
Risk of money laundering in Vietnam at “average high” level Risk of money laundering in Vietnam at “average high” level
Vietnam commits to fighting money laundering Vietnam commits to fighting money laundering
Cash seized in an operation that broke up a money-laundering ring engaged in smuggling criminal proceeds across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Photo: Handout
Cash seized in an operation that broke up a money-laundering ring engaged in smuggling criminal proceeds across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong customs officers have broken up a money-laundering ring accused of smuggling nearly HK$170 million (US$21.8 million) in criminal proceeds out of the city over three months via the world’s longest sea crossing, arresting five people in the first crackdown of its kind.

Couriers were hired to take the money over the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and investigators suspect that part of the cash was laundered through Macau casinos, the Post has learned.

Officers from the Customs and Excise Department seized HK$20.3 million in cash along with money transfer recipients and mobile phones during a law enforcement operation that ran between Thursday last week and Monday. They also froze HK$580,000 in bank accounts belonging to some of the suspects.

The suspects are accused of using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to get cash out of the city. Photo: Winson Wong
The suspects are accused of using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to get cash out of the city. Photo: Winson Wong

“It is the first time Hong Kong customs has broken up a money-laundering racket that was involved in bulk cash-smuggling operations and the use of cross-border drivers,” Senior Superintendent Mark Woo Wai-kwan, of customs’ syndicate crimes investigation bureau, said on Wednesday.

Woo said officers had sought help from their counterparts in Macau and Zhuhai in an effort to trace the “dirty” money and locate its recipients at the other end of the criminal chain. He said investigations were continuing and further arrests were possible.

Customs officers on Thursday last week arrested two drivers and seized HK$20 million after intercepting their vehicles – a seven-seater van and a tow truck – on the Hong Kong side of the mega bridge.

The arrests were made at about 7pm after a black recycling bag, packed with HK$20 million in HK$500 and HK$1,000 notes, was moved from the car to the truck.

The two men, aged 40 and 43, were among three suspected couriers accused of smuggling HK$166 million in 17 cash-smuggling operations since May, Woo said, adding the ill-gotten proceeds were taken to either Macau or Zhuhai, a neighbouring city in Guangdong province.

He said the biggest sum involved in a single delivery was HK$27 million.

A van and a tow truck seized on Thursday during the cash-smuggling crackdown. Photo: Handout
A van and a tow truck seized on Thursday during the cash-smuggling crackdown. Photo: Handout

Last Friday, customs officers raided the Kwun Tong shop of a money exchange firm, picking up its director and a staff member, both men aged 41. Officers seized about HK$300,000 from the shop.

The third suspected cash courier, 43, was detained on Monday when he turned up for an interview with officers at customs headquarters in North Point.

The five men, aged between 40 and 44, were arrested for money laundering – an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

Woo said he believed the five suspects were the members of a money-laundering syndicate that had been operating since May.

“We are still investigating the original source of the illegal proceeds,” he said.

Theo scmp.com

Related News

Ho Chi Minh City Customs and Border Guard join hands to prevent dozens of smuggling cases

Ho Chi Minh City Customs and Border Guard join hands to prevent dozens of smuggling cases

VCN - With efforts to develop and implement a plan to combat smuggling, trade fraud and illegal transportation of goods, Ho Chi Minh City Customs and Border Guard forces have prevented dozens of violations, many of which have been criminally prosecuted.
Criminals take advantage of establishing enterprises to illegally produce and transport drugs

Criminals take advantage of establishing enterprises to illegally produce and transport drugs

VCN - Drug crime activities remain extremely complicated, especially the method of taking advantage of establishing enterprises in Vietnam to transport vehicles, equipment, raw materials, rent warehouses, etc to serve illegal production and transportation of drugs from abroad into Vietnam and continue to send them to third countries for consumption.
Hong Kong customs seizes B42.5m of smuggled platinum, its largest haul in 20 years

Hong Kong customs seizes B42.5m of smuggled platinum, its largest haul in 20 years

VCN - Hong Kong customs has claimed its biggest haul of smuggled platinum in two decades, seizing HKcopy0 million (42.5 million baht) worth of the metal hidden in a battery box at the bottom of a Shenzhen-bound truck.
Combat smuggling in sea areas of Hai Phong and Thai Binh

Combat smuggling in sea areas of Hai Phong and Thai Binh

VCN – The Customs and Border Guard forces have coordinated to arrest 10 offences.

Latest News

The Philippines Pioneers Corruption Risk Mapping to Strengthen Integrity and Trade Facilitation in Customs

The Philippines Pioneers Corruption Risk Mapping to Strengthen Integrity and Trade Facilitation in Customs

VCN - The Bureau of Customs of The Philippines (BOC) has taken a groundbreaking step towards enhancing transparency and accountability by implementing an innovative approach to corruption risk mapping with support from the World Customs Organization (WCO)
US customs clamps down on vague cargo descriptions

US customs clamps down on vague cargo descriptions

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is clamping down on the use of vague descriptions of shipments submitted through the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS).
Uzbekistan Signs Customs Agreement With U.S.

Uzbekistan Signs Customs Agreement With U.S.

VCN - The heads of the Uzbek and American customs services have signed an agreement “On Cooperation and Mutual Assistance,” an essential legal basis of cooperation in customs. The deal was signed in a bilateral meeting between the Chairman of the Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee, Akmalkhuja Mavlonov, and the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Border Service, Troy Miller.
Customs Affairs conducts training programme for OFOQ2 Single Window System

Customs Affairs conducts training programme for OFOQ2 Single Window System

Manama, Aug. 14 (BNA): The Customs Affairs has completed a training programme for users of the Customs Single Window (OFOQ2) system, including competent authorities and customs clearance offices. The training was conducted by Customs Affairs trainers with the participation of specialists from various customs directorates.

More News

Abu Dhabi Customs equips sea customs centres with five advanced inspection devices

Abu Dhabi Customs equips sea customs centres with five advanced inspection devices

VCN - The General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs has completed a project to equip its sea customs centers with advanced inspection devices as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of customs operations across the border ports of Abu Dhabi.
Customs rules get stringent at Singapore

Customs rules get stringent at Singapore

VCN - The FTZ regulations require cargo interests to submit import cargo information on long-haul trades 12 hours prior to each vessel’s arrival at berth in Singapore Port and for short-haul trades
Sabah Customs seizes over RM600,000 worth of drugs

Sabah Customs seizes over RM600,000 worth of drugs

VCN - A teenager was among two suspected drug mules nabbed with over 20kg of drugs valued at around RM667,729.44 from two airports in the state recently.
Hong Kong customs to use AI to check 6,000 digital images in seconds for crime-fighting boost

Hong Kong customs to use AI to check 6,000 digital images in seconds for crime-fighting boost

Hong Kong customs will establish a new artificial intelligence (AI) system that can process up to an hour of surveillance camera footage or about 6,000 images within seconds to crack down on crimes involving digital evidence.
Hong Kong customs seizes HK$5.8 million of heroin hidden among durians

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$5.8 million of heroin hidden among durians

Officers also arrested three men, aged between 25 and 53, in connection with the trafficking of the substance.
Dubai and Indonesia to boost the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with advanced customs procedures

Dubai and Indonesia to boost the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with advanced customs procedures

Dubai and Indonesia to boost the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement through advanced customs procedures and AI systems at Jebel Ali and Dubai International Airport, enhancing trade efficiency.
India imposes 10% customs duty on solar glass imports

India imposes 10% customs duty on solar glass imports

VCN - The Indian authorities will introduce a 10% customs duty on solar glass imports from October. The government has also expanded the list of exempted equipment for solar cell and panel production to support domestic manufacturing.
Customs seize arms, ammunition worth N2bn from Turkey

Customs seize arms, ammunition worth N2bn from Turkey

The Nigeria Customs Service said its operatives intercepted nine containers carrying offensive items including arms, ammunition, Illicit drugs and second-hand clothes worth N13.9 billion.
WCO and German Customs sign a new Grant Agreement

WCO and German Customs sign a new Grant Agreement

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has concluded an agreement with the German Customs Authority, establishing a new Customs Cooperation Fund of Germany (CCF-Germany) for the period 2024-2028. This agreement, designed to enhance capacity-building initiatives, was signed on June 28 in Brussels during the WCO Council Sessions. The signing ceremony featured Hans Pieters, Head of Administration and Personnel for the WCO, and Mr. Martin Reuter, Head of Unit International Affairs at the Central Customs Authority, representing Germany.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
The Philippines Pioneers Corruption Risk Mapping to Strengthen Integrity and Trade Facilitation in Customs

The Philippines Pioneers Corruption Risk Mapping to Strengthen Integrity and Trade Facilitation in Customs

VCN - The Bureau of Customs of The Philippines (BOC) has taken a groundbreaking step towards enhancing transparency and accountability by implementing an innovative approach to corruption risk mapping with support from the World Customs Organization (WCO)
US customs clamps down on vague cargo descriptions

US customs clamps down on vague cargo descriptions

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is clamping down on the use of vague descriptions of shipments submitted through the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS).
Uzbekistan Signs Customs Agreement With U.S.

Uzbekistan Signs Customs Agreement With U.S.

VCN - The heads of the Uzbek and American customs services have signed an agreement “On Cooperation and Mutual Assistance,” an essential legal basis of cooperation in customs. The deal was signed in a bilateral meeting between the Chairman of the Uzbekist
Hong Kong customs seizes B42.5m of smuggled platinum, its largest haul in 20 years

Hong Kong customs seizes B42.5m of smuggled platinum, its largest haul in 20 years

VCN - Hong Kong customs has claimed its biggest haul of smuggled platinum in two decades, seizing HKcopy0 million (42.5 million baht) worth of the metal hidden in a battery box at the bottom of a Shenzhen-bound truck.
Customs Affairs conducts training programme for OFOQ2 Single Window System

Customs Affairs conducts training programme for OFOQ2 Single Window System

Manama, Aug. 14 (BNA): The Customs Affairs has completed a training programme for users of the Customs Single Window (OFOQ2) system, including competent authorities and customs clearance offices. The training was conducted by Customs Affairs trainers with the participation of specialists from various customs directorates.
Mobile Version