Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected illicit cigarette distribution case in Yau Tong yesterday (January 28), seizing about 1.81 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $8.14 million and a duty potential of about $5.98 million. One man was arrested.
Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Yau Tong last night and intercepted a lorry parked on the roadside near a carpark of a shopping mall. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was found inside the lorry, and a 41-year-old man, who claimed to be a transportation worker, was arrested. The lorry was also detained.
The case is still under investigation. The arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Thursday, January 29, 2026
