Hong Kong Customs collects 540 tons of beef and organs worth US $ 6.4 million that are being smuggled into mainland China by smugglers.

"The boxes of meat were unloaded from 18 frozen containers and loaded onto four fishing boats in the Yau Ma Tei area at noon, each with two operators. Customs forces began chasing at 3:30 on November 28. A fishing boat has arrived in southeastern waters, 3 km from the border line, "a source from Hong Kong law enforcement said today.

Criminal gangs smuggle meat from Hong Kong into mainland China to avoid the 70% tariff on imported frozen meat and 25% on US goods. Hong Kong Customs seized 976 tons of frozen meat worth more than US $ 8.1 million this year, including US $ 6.4 million worth of goods on November 28.

"Each fishing boat carries about 2,000 boxes of meat, they are stored in the hold without any refrigeration equipment. Sanitation conditions there are poor and can cause health problems for consumers", another source said.

A fishing boat reached 3 km from the border line between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and mainland China. The two people on the boat jumped into a speedboat and ran towards the mainland.

The remaining three boats were blocked near Waglan Island and Mount Davis on Hong Kong Island. Six Hong Kongers were arrested on suspicion of unverified cargo transport, one was the owner of fishing boats. Investigators are interrogating these people.

The smuggling group, which has been operating for more than a month, could pocket about US $ 640,000 if transferring 540 tons of meat to mainland China. Trafficking offenders in Hong Kong can face up to 7 years in prison and be fined more than $ 250,000.