HK Customs foils largest suspected motorcycles smuggling case in decade

Hong Kong Customs said on Friday that a batch of motorcycles valued at about 4.2 million HK dollars (about 541,935 U.S. dollars) were seized last December, which was the largest case of suspected motorcycle smuggling in a decade.

On Dec. 17, Hong Kong Customs found 20 unmanifested motorcycles and 111 tires in a container declared as containing scrap metal from Australia. During follow-up investigation, Customs officers examined another two containers, also from Australia and declared as containing scrap metal, and found another 45 motorcycles and 82 tires therein.

Two men, aged 46 and 29, respectively, were arrested in connection with the case and released on bail pending further investigation.

Under Hong Kong's Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of 2 million HK dollars and imprisonment for seven years.