The Customs and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department conducted a joint operation to seize 17,000 suspected smuggled hairy crabs with a market value of about 1.53 million yuan

The Hong Kong Customs and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department conducted a joint operation at the Man Kam To Control Point last Friday (22) and seized about 17,000 suspected smuggled hairy crabs and about 1.1 tons of suspected smuggled frozen food, including meat and poultry. The estimated market value is about about 1.59 million yuan.

The Customs stated that the 47-year-old male truck driver was arrested and the case is still under investigation, and the relevant joint operations will continue.

▼Citizens snapping up hairy crabs in 2021▼

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Seized about 60,000 yuan of suspected smuggled frozen food

According to the customs, law enforcement officers intercepted and searched an incoming truck at the Man Kam To Control Point on the same day. After inspection, they found the declared cargo on the truck and seized about 17,000 hairy crabs suspected of not being manifested, with an estimated market value of about 1.53 million yuan.

As for suspected unmanifested frozen foods, including meat and poultry, the estimated market value is about 60,000 yuan.

In addition, the hairy crabs seized were not accompanied by a health certificate issued by the authority of the exporting place, which did not comply with the provisions of the relevant shellfish aquatic animal (hairy crab) sales permit.

The frozen meat and poultry seized also did not have relevant health certificates or written permission from the FEHD.

The customs stated that the 47-year-old male truck driver involved in the case was arrested and the case is still under investigation.

The relevant joint operations will continue, and the Customs and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will maintain close intelligence exchanges and cooperation.

Conviction for smuggling can be fined up to 2 million yuan and imprisoned for 7 years

The Customs also reminded the public that smuggling is a serious crime. According to the Import and Export Ordinance, anyone who imports or exports unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of 2 million yuan and imprisonment for 7 years upon conviction.

According to the "Imported Game, Meat, Poultry and Eggs Regulations", anyone importing game, meat, poultry or eggs must provide a health certificate issued by the relevant authority in the source of origin or written permission from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

Once convicted, offenders can be fined up to 50,000 yuan and imprisoned for 6 months.

According to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, all food sold in Hong Kong, whether imported or locally produced, must be fit for human consumption.

Once convicted, offenders can be fined up to 50,000 yuan and imprisoned for 6 months.

In addition, according to the Food Safety Ordinance, anyone who does not have a reasonable excuse to engage in food import or distribution business without registration is an offence and is liable to a fine of up to 50,000 yuan and imprisonment for 6 months.

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