Authorities in Hong Kong announced on Thursday that they had made their largest smuggling bust ever, seizing commodities worth an estimated $26.9 million, including endangered species.
According to the officials, the smuggling gang used speedboats and four trucks were seized during the raid.
It said a 34-year-old male had been arrested in the operation, which began in June, and that additional information will be published soon. According to a statement, on Sept. 23, the customs department and the maritime police small boat section descended on smugglers operating in the city’s New Territories, which are near to mainland China.
“This is the largest smuggling case in terms of seizure value among all forms of smuggling uncovered by Customs on record,” the ministry claimed.
At a press briefing, confiscated items included endangered flora, designer handbags, cigarettes, and shark’s fin, a delicacy in southern Chinese cuisine.
The semi-autonomous city in southern China has a high demand for luxury goods, as well as air and maritime ties to global markets. Officials at the press conference, however, stated that the smuggled commodities appeared to be meant for mainland Chinese clients.
