(CN) Live snakes, lobsters worth HK$1m seized from suspected smugglers

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South China Morning Post

by Martin Wong

Sep 21, 2008

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Live snakes and lobsters worth HK$1 million were seized on Lantau Island

early yesterday from two men who were allegedly trying to smuggle the food

to the mainland.

Customs officers said snakes and lobsters were in high demand on the

mainland because of a booming economy in coastal areas, where the men

intended to ship the animals.

 

The seizure was made shortly before 2am during an operation at Pak Mong,

said custom's official Ngan Hing-cheung.

 

" The economy of China, especial the coastal area, has developed rapidly, " he

said. " The living standard of people there has increased continuously so

their demand for these products is enormous.

 

" Added to this, our mainland counterparts impose strict regulation on the

import of these products so smugglers try to make use of such an opportunity

to make money. "

 

Mr Ngan added that Chinese liked to eat snakes during the autumn and he

expected more such seizures in the coming weeks, but he said customs

officers had not spotted a sharp rise in this type of smuggling over the

past few weeks.

 

Mr Ngan said the seizure was made after about a week-long intensive

investigation.

 

Officers found the two men loading 80 cartons onto speed boats, of which 35

held lobsters and 45 contained snakes.

 

Pak Mong is a black spot for smuggling.

 

Customs said the goods were worth about HK$1 million. If they were

successfully smuggled into the mainland, the smugglers could evade tax of up

to HK$150,000.

 

Two speedboats and two vehicles were also seized.

 

The two men, aged 29 and 46, were arrested. They were being held for further

questioning.

 

The seizure comes less than two weeks after police impounded 23 speedboats

and said smuggling in Hong Kong's western waters was likely to decrease

overall.

 

The vessels, some worth more than HK$100,000 each, were believed to be used

to smuggle seafood from Tung Chung Bay, near Chek Lap Kok airport, to

Shenzhen.

 

Police sources had said the smugglers were trying to ship lobsters and

oysters to restaurants in Shenzhen.