ENG-2004 — Page 421

Public Order | 359

Container tractors, box-type lorries and private cars were commonly used to smuggle contraband mix-loaded with cargoes or concealed in sophisticated secret compartments. In some cases, smuggled goods were found hidden inside the driving cabins of tractors and goods vehicles, vehicle toolboxes and trailer bodies. At sea, river trade vessels, fishing vessels and motorised sampans were employed for smuggling. The smuggled goods were usually hidden inside containers, fuel tanks or secret compartments of these vessels.

Cigarettes, motor spirit, meat and counterfeit goods were the main items being smuggled into Hong Kong from the Mainland. Altogether 56.3 million sticks of illicit cigarettes, 85 987 litres of motor spirit, 125 953 kilograms of meat and 6 127 243 pieces of counterfeit goods were seized in inbound traffic.

Two sets of the Vehicle X-Ray Inspection System, installed at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point in early 2003, have strengthened the department's ability to inspect vehicles and cargoes. With the assistance of this advanced equipment, the department has detected 88 smuggling cases involving seizures valued at $169.5 million since the two systems were installed.

The department's anti-smuggling capability has also been strengthened by the commissioning of four automatic distillation analysers at the land boundary vehicular check points and the seaport in early 2004. These analysers support quick field tests. to discern light diesel oil and motor spirit from cargoes declared as other hydrocarbon oil products. This greatly enhances the capability to detect illicit fuel. For operations at sea, four high-speed pursuit craft have been launched, enhancing the department's capability in intercepting and searching suspicious speedboats and cargoes. The department has also procured five 3-in-1 handheld detectors for narcotics/explosive/chemical warfare agents for use on Customs launches and cargo clearance stations at Kwai Chung and Hong Kong International Airport.

The department continued to liaise closely with the Police Force and other law enforcement agencies in a concerted effort to combat smuggling. Enhanced cooperation with Mainland authorities in exchanging information and mounting parallel operations at the land boundary-crossing points and at sea continued to produce satisfactory results.

Information Technology

Since July 17, 2004, all air and rail cargo manifests except those provided on demand by the department for cargo clearance purposes have to be submitted electronically through a specified service provider appointed by the Government. Electronic submission helps reduce the time and effort required by the shipping industry for lodging paper cargo manifests to different government departments, and the associated storage space. From August 18, 2004, the electronic services for applications of dutiable commodities permits are available at one more service provider appointed by the Government.

The department is exploring, in conjunction with the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau, a system for electronic submission of advance road cargo