If they had used better spray paint, it may have been the perfect crime.
Yesterday’s customs announcement reported that authorities found over 320 lbs of suspected smuggled gold during a cargo freight search at Hong Kong International Airport. Yesterday’s customs announcementOn March 27, investigators discovered about $10.7 million worth of gold hidden inside two actual air compressors, the largest amount of gold ever found by the bureau. However, instead of gold bars or coins hidden deep inside the machinery, they found chunks of precious metal shaped like compressor parts, covered in silver-colored spray paint.
Customs agents became suspicious after X-raying the 1,708 lbs pair of air compressors last month, as similar machines are typically made from aluminum or iron, and are used for industrial and mining projects, as well as to fill divers’ gas cylinders. Business Insider explains, similar air compressors are made from aluminum or iron, and usually intended for industrial and mining projects, as well as to fill divers’ gas cylinders.
The assistant superintendent of Hong Kong International Airport’s customs air cargo division told the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Monday that technicians discovered a rotor wrapped in a cord wheel tied with tape, which was not normal.
He added that traces of glue and unevenness on the rotor led them to believe it was not a genuine part. Scraping off the silver paint revealed gold flecks, indicating that the parts were made of precious metal. The smugglers likely used the air compressor ruse to avoid Japan’s precious metals tariff, saving around $1.07 million.
Authorities believe the smugglers melted their gold and poured it into molds to make parts that looked like motor rotors, screw shafts, and gears, a difficult process given gold’s melting point of 1,948 degrees Fahrenheit.
Talking to Hong Kong Customs, it was revealed that the director of a local company was arrested after his firm’s name was found on the shipment. An initial investigation suggests the company may be a front for smuggling. The investigation is ongoing and the man has been released on bail. Under Hong Kong’s Import and Export Ordinance, those found guilty of smuggling cargo could face over $255,000 in fines and up to 7 years in prison.
The suspicious cargo was flagged by the Hong Kong authorities.
