The city's customs chief has dubbed smuggled Australian lobsters 'a national security threat'


The origins of the seafood were still under investigation, he told a press briefing on Tuesday.

The city's customs chief last month dubbed smuggled Australian lobsters "a national security threat", vowing to crack down on the trade.

Since Beijing's unofficial ban took effect in October last year, exports of Australian lobsters to Hong Kong have soared -- from a total monthly value of US$426,000 to a peak of more than US$19 million in June this year, data from Australia's Fisheries Research and Development Corporation showed.

From July to September, Hong Kong and mainland authorities seized 5,300 kilograms of smuggled Australian lobsters, worth around US$540,000, arresting 13 people.

Last month, 228 tonnes of smuggled Australian lobsters with an estimated market value of HK$180 million (US$23.1 million) were seized from raids of several importers in Hong Kong, and seven men were arrested.