Hong Kong Customs seized about 10.5 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $29 million and a duty potential of about $20 million during an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Tuen Mun today (April 8). Two men were arrested.
Customs officers conducted spot checks at a logistics site in Lam Tei this morning. The batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was seized from a 40-foot container inside the site. Two 28-year-old men suspected to be connected to the case were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue to combat illicit cigarette activities on all fronts through intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, April 8, 2022
