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.
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
Hong Kong customs arrests 7 for laundering $1.8 billion Hong Kong customs arrests 7 for laundering $1.8 billion
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
Customs displays the HKcopy0 million (42.5 million baht) worth of platinum bars at its headquarters in North Point. (Photo: South China Morning Post)
Customs displays the HK$10 million (42.5 million baht) worth of platinum bars at its headquarters in North Point. (Photo: South China Morning Post)

The Customs and Excise Department said on Thursday that the truck's driver, a 48-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to export unmanifested goods - an offence punishable by up to seven years in jail and a HK$2 million fine.

The outgoing truck, which had been declared as carrying no cargo, was intercepted for inspection at Man Kam To control point on Sept 13 while it was travelling to mainland China.

Inspector Leung Chi-hang of the control point's cargo and vehicle processing unit said the battery box in the space between the driver's cabin and the cargo hold was unusually secured with a plastic cover and iron locks, which aroused officers' suspicions.

"Officers used tools to break the locks and discovered eight slabs of platinum hidden in a narrow space between two batteries," he said.

Inspector Woo Suet-yi of customs' syndicate crimes investigation bureau said officers confiscated 41 kilogrammes of platinum worth HKcopy0 million from the battery box.

She said it was customs' largest platinum seizure on record and surpassed the previous 30kg logged in 2013.

"In recent months, the price of precious metals, especially platinum, has been rising. We do not rule out the possibility that the smuggling of platinum to mainland China was to meet investment demand," she said.

Woo said that due to the absence of tariffs and import restrictions on platinum by central authorities, and the lack of price difference between Hong Kong and the mainland, customs officers were also investigating whether the haul was linked to money-laundering activities.

The truck driver was released on bail, pending further investigation.

Further arrests were not ruled out as the investigation was still ongoing.

Officers from the department's syndicate crimes investigation bureau are following up on the case.

In the past six months, customs officers foiled three attempts to smuggle more than HKcopy04 million of gold disguised as machine parts from the city into Japan.

In these three cases - detected in April, July and August - gold was moulded and camouflaged as components and fixed into machines that were destined for Japan.

Source: www.bangkokpost.com

Related News

To successfully export fresh coconuts to China

To successfully export fresh coconuts to China

VCN - The large demand of the Chinese market not only exposes a "golden” opportunity to the Vietnamese coconut industry, but also poses potential risks for businesses if there is no systematic investment in raw material areas as well as strict control over the cultivation, harvesting, and processing processes...
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.
Import turnover of raw materials for textiles, footwear, and plastics reaches tens of billions of dollars

Import turnover of raw materials for textiles, footwear, and plastics reaches tens of billions of dollars

VCN - The largest source of raw materials for textiles, footwear, and plastics is imported from China into Vietnam market.
10 export groups with an increase of nearly US$30 billion

10 export groups with an increase of nearly US$30 billion

VCN - According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, by the end of August, the total export turnover of the country reached US$265.44 billion, an increase of 15.9% over the same period last year. Notably, there were 10 groups of goods with an increase of over US$1 billion compared to the same period last year.

Latest News

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.

More News

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.
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.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
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.
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 D
Mobile Version