The smuggling occurred in the context of many volatile gold prices
Artwork: Reuters
Sheet South China Morning Post On 12.3 reported that Hong Kong Customs force had just discovered the largest smuggling of gold bars ever, with the gold worth 46 million HKD (150.8 billion) in the package of goods sent by air to Japan.
Officers of the Customs and Hong Kong Customs Department (C & ED) discovered the incident when conducting risk assessment and intelligence analysis on 5.3 and checked a plan to send to Japan.
Inspector Daniel Chan Wing-Yin of C&D said the shipment was declared containing toys, hats and many other items, with a total of 124 packages, intended to send to Hong Kong International Airport.
“In the process of analyzing the X-ray image, officials found that 4 packages of abnormal high density, not in accordance with the content declared,” he said.
Functional forces discovered that each suspicious package weighs 17kg, exceeding the specific weight declared 1.1kg per pack. When checking more carefully the packages, they discovered that each package contains large boxes and 2 small boxes. Large box containing electronics, and small boxes used to hide gold.
“This is the largest smuggling of gold bars ever recorded on the volume of seizure and market value” Macau Business quoted the Hong Kong police force.
Police said a investigation was undergoing and did not rule out the possibility of arresting related suspects. The customs authorities emphasized that smuggling may be fined up to 2 million HKD and imprisonment for up to 7 years.
The smuggling case took place in the context of increasing gold price, which was thought to be due to the instability of the geopolitical situation in many parts of the world and the new tariffs published by the US.
