A 52-year-old man was sentenced to six months' imprisonment at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (November 26) for possession of illicit cigarettes.
Customs officers yesterday (November 25) intercepted the man in Wong Tai Sin and found 600 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes in a reusable bag carried by him. The man was then escorted to a metal hut where about 76 400 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The total value of the seizure was about $200,000 with a duty potential of about $150,000.
Customs will continue to undertake stringent enforcement against illicit cigarette activities to protect government revenue.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty on conviction is imprisonment for two years and a fine of $1 million.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, November 26, 2015