Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 2) seized about 420 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million and a duty potential of about $800,000 at Man Kam To Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying tiles at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday. After inspection, the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes were found mix-loaded with tiles inside 136 cartons on the truck.
A 51-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck involved in the case was also detained.
An investigation is ongoing.
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.
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/Thursday, December 3, 2020
