Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 8) swooped on a cross-boundary illicit cigarette smuggling syndicate in Man Kam To. On board a cross-boundary lorry, a total of 117 boxes containing 140 million sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette were found. The total value is about $3.5 million with a duty potential of $2.4 million. In the operation, a 45-year-old man was arrested and the cross-boundary lorry was seized.
At about 4pm yesterday, Customs officers in Man Kam To Control Point intercepted a loaded goods vehicle which declared to contain "metal key fob". Upon examination, the duty-not-paid cigarettes were found while the driver was arrested immediately.
In this case, cigarettes of various brands, which had been sorted and packed, could be speedily delivered for sale. Customs believes that the illicit cigarette syndicate continues to manipulate the "swift distribution" mode with an attempt to lessen the risk of being detected.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession, selling and buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty on conviction is imprisonment for two years and a fine of $1 million.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement against cigarette smuggling activities to protect government revenue.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Saturday, June 9 2012
