With the outbreak of the new crown epidemic in the Mainland, there is a severe shortage of medicines and anti-epidemic materials.
Hong Kong Customs launched a special operation from December 17 last year to January 1 this year to step up efforts to crack down on the smuggling of drugs and anti-epidemic materials by cross-boundary trucks at land control points, and seized drugs, antipyretic patches and quick test kits, etc., with an estimated market value of about 940,000 yuan.
Five male drivers (aged 38 to 59) of the five cross-border trucks involved in the case are assisting in the investigation.
Customs carried out activities to combat smuggling of drugs and anti-epidemic materials, and seized drugs, rapid antigen test kits, antipyretic patches and heat detectors with a market value of about 940,000 yuan.
(Government Information Service)
The smuggled drugs include Lianhua Qingwen, anti-inflammatory cold medicine, monkeypox injection
During the operation, Customs intercepted 4 outgoing and 1 incoming trucks at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, Man Kam To Control Point and Lok Ma Chau Control Point. Relevant import and export licenses.
Customs officers seized more than 3,900 items of proprietary Chinese medicines, pharmaceutical products, rapid antigen test kits, antipyretic patches and heat detectors, with an estimated market value of about $940,000.
According to the photos provided by the customs, the relevant drugs include a large number of Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Jinhua Qinggan granules, pills labeled as "anti-inflammatory drugs" and "cold medicines", and the antiviral drug "Cidofovir" (Cidofovir) for monkeypox , and a certain brand of cold medicine that has been opened.
Relevant goods are hidden in the driver's cab and deep in the container, and suspected smugglers use this to evade customs inspection.
Customs pointed out that according to the "Import and Export Ordinance", anyone who imports or exports unmanifested goods, upon conviction, is liable to a maximum fine of 2 million yuan and imprisonment for 7 years; according to the "Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance", anyone who fails to Possession of any poison listed in Part 1 of the Poisons List in accordance with the provisions of the provisions is an offense and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or through the dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Customs seized smuggled dried abalone in Lok Ma Chau with a market value of about 1.95 million. Marine police and Customs Operation Sai Kung seized 2.5 million smuggled dried shark fin, dried fish maw and old smartphones.
