Hong Kong Customs has intercepted a car attempting to smuggle 596 CPUs with an estimated value of $1.5 million. The CPUs were hidden in secret compartments inside the car [f5e4f136].
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of smuggling in Hong Kong, particularly in relation to electronics. Smuggling of CPUs and other goods across the border between mainland China and Hong Kong is driven by the difference in taxes and duties. Smugglers have employed various methods, including concealing chips and iPhones on their bodies and shipping GPUs with other goods. The seizure of the smuggled CPUs serves as a reminder of the need for strong customs enforcement to combat illicit activities and protect national security and public safety [f5e4f136] [61b3f103].
The 51-year-old smuggler was arrested at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point while heading outbound to mainland China. The smuggled CPUs appear to be older server-grade Intel Xeon processors. The smuggler could face a penalty of up to HK$2 million and imprisonment of seven years [f5e4f136].
In a separate incident, a man was caught trying to smuggle more than 100 live snakes into mainland China by stuffing them into his pants. Customs officers in Shenzhen intercepted the man at Futian Port. They found six canvas drawstring bags sealed with tape in the pockets of his pants, each containing live snakes. A total of 104 snakes were found, including five species: milk snake, western hognose snake, corn snake, Texas rat snake, and bullsnake. The incident occurred as the unidentified man tried to cross from [unknown location] to Shenzhen. China has been making significant efforts to combat animal trafficking, a persistent issue in the region. The country’s biosecurity and disease control regulations strictly prohibit the importation of non-native species without prior authorization. The customs authority emphasized that violators would face legal consequences, although the specific punishment for the man was not disclosed [6a5b101a] [a53d6128].
These incidents shed light on the ongoing problem of smuggling in the region, with individuals resorting to creative methods to transport illegal goods. The smuggling of live animals, such as snakes, poses a significant threat to wildlife conservation efforts and public health. It underscores the importance of robust customs enforcement and international collaboration to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect biodiversity [6a5b101a] [a53d6128].