A man and a woman were sentenced to four months' imprisonment and two months' imprisonment respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 6) for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 64-year-old man for inspection at the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok on February 8. Upon inspection, a total of 3 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from plastic bags placed on the bike's baskets and the shoulder bag carried by the man, with an estimated market value of about $15,000 and a duty potential of about $9,900. He was subsequently arrested. The man was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the Courts today.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 43-year-old woman at the same Checkpoint yesterday (March 5). Upon inspection, a total of 4 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from shopping bags placed on the bike's baskets and the handbag carried by the woman, with an estimated market value of about $20,000 and a duty potential of about $13,200. She was subsequently arrested. The woman was sentenced to two months' imprisonment by the Courts today.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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/Friday, March 6, 2026
