There is a major case of the smuggling of precious wood worth in Rs. crore to be used in the manufacturing of luxury furniture. It is also a matter of concern that this unlawful shipment of red sandalwood, also called “red gold” for its high value, is seen connecting with India. Still, related officials are investigating the matter.
As per reports, Hong Kong law enforcers and customs Department seized consignments of 7 tonne of precious wood hidden in two shipping containers from the container yard located in Yuen Long in the West region. These woods were to be used in the manufacture of sofas and other luxury furniture. The shipping containers carrying non-controlled wood were seized and wood worth US $ 709,489 recovered. The haul was bound for mainland China and intended for use in the manufacture of luxury furniture and carvings. In this regards two people have been arrested by officials.
According to report from South China Morning Post (SCMP), the two shipments, declaring to be carrying non-controlled wood and furniture, arrived in Hong Kong from India on March 24.Through risk assessment; customs officers selected the two containers for inspection. X-ray images raised suspicions about the containers’ content, and they were opened for inspection at the Kwai Chung cargo examination compound on Monday. Some non-controlled wood was placed near the door of each container. Behind the wood were 234 items of furniture.
A 63-year-old consignee – a Hong Kong man – was arrested on Monday after customs officers posing as logistics workers delivered the two containers to a secluded container yard in Yuen Long. The red sandalwood, also called “red gold” for its high value, was concealed in 222 items of furniture, mainly sofas, according to the Customs and Excise Department, added in SCMP report.
According to the department, investigation is still under way and further arrests are possible in connection with this incident, said in report.
Furniture Design India and the magazine FURNITURE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (FDT magazine) are from the trusted 22-year-old media house of SURFACES REPORTER and PLY REPORTER.
FDT is a B2B monthly bilingual magazine from India that shares the pulse of the furniture business in India and connects the manufacturers, OEMS, product designers, architects, showrooms, designers and dealers.
Read More© 2023 Furniture Design and Technologies.. All Rights Reserved. Developed by eyeQ Advertising
