Police said yesterday (27/6) that burglary cases in village houses in Sai Kung and Clear Water Bay have been on the rise in recent months. Therefore, anti-burglary operations have been launched in the district and they have been carrying out searches in the area of Clear Water Bay for several days. On Friday (26/6) they called in the assistance of the Government Flying Service, searching for suspicious hiding places.
They eventually found, hidden in the jungle near Tsui Wo Village, a temporary hiding place of suspected illegal immigrants. There were tents, illegal logging tools, daily necessities and cooking tools on the site. With the assistance of AFCD staff, the police seized about 8 kg of agarwood at the scene, worth more than HK$600,000. The police believe that the gangsters on the site have been mobile, cutting down the precious wild agarwood in Hong Kong and then moving camp.
Illegal felling of agarwood has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. In addition, anyone illegally felling or destroying trees or growing plants on government land may also violate the Forest and Suburban Regulations. Upon conviction, they may be fined 25,000 yuan and imprisoned for one year.
Police video of the raid on the agarwood hideout.
The police appealed to the mountain hikers or villagers that if they see any suspicious persons around to immediately call the police for help. Villagers should also lock doors and windows, and avoid putting large amounts of cash in their homes, and review security facilities from time to time, such as the addition of closed-circuit television.
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