Hong Kong police make largest smuggling bust worth $26.9M

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong authorities say they have made their largest smuggling bust, seizing goods including endangered species worth an estimated $26.9 million. The government says the smuggling ring operated using speedboats and four trucks were also impounded in the raid. A 34-year-old man was arrested in the operation that began in June. A statement says it’s the largest case among all forms of smuggling by air, sea and land detected by customs on record in terms of the seizure value. Items displayed at a news conference included endangered plants, luxury handbags, cigars and shark’s fin, which is prized as a delicacy in southern Chinese cuisine. The semi-autonomous southern Chinese city has a high demand for luxury items along with air and sea links to world markets.