Hong Kong Customs today (January 12) smashed an illicit cigarette smuggling case at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and seized about 1.2 million sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes on board a cross-boundary container truck. The total value of the cigarettes was about $3 million with a duty potential of about $2.05 million. In the operation, a male driver, aged 62, was arrested and the container truck used in the smuggling of illicit cigarettes was seized.
At about 6.30am today, Customs officers at Lok Ma Chau Control Point intercepted an unladen cross-boundary 40-foot container truck. Upon X-ray examination, about 1.2 million sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were found inside a false compartment of the container.
With the approach of the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement action against the smuggling of illicit cigarettes at boundary control points to protect government revenue.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public are urged to report suspected illicit cigarette activities by calling the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Saturday, January 12 2013
