Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok says the Government will not change the individual visiting scheme, because parallel-goods traders are only very small part of the total number of Mainland visitors.

Speaking to reporters today, Mr Lai said individual visitors from the Mainland are one of the main sources of tourists and they have contributed significantly to Hong Kong’s economy.

"Of course, any tourists, wherever they come from, if they breach Hong Kong laws, we will take enforcement action," he said.

The Customs & Excise Department has arrested a 49-year-old male driver and a 44-year-old woman, after 515kg of silver slabs worth $4.42 million were seized from a car arriving in Hong Kong at Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

It is the largest smuggling case of silver slabs detected at the land boundary in the last year.

About 4pm yesterday, officers stopped an incoming private car declared to have no cargo. They found 11 nylon bags containing 33 silver slabs.

People can report any suspected smuggling activities on 2545 6182.