Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 22) raided a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse in Tuen Mun and seized about 27 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $76 million and a duty potential of about $52 million.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Tuen Mun yesterday afternoon, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes at two units of an industrial building. A 31-year-old man and a light goods vehicle, suspected to be in connection with the case, were arrested and detained respectively.
Investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs has so far seized over 347 million suspected illicit cigarettes this year, about 70 per cent more than last year's total seizure quantity.
Customs will continue to combat illicit cigarette activities on all fronts through intelligence analysis. The department will also step up enforcement before the Christmas holiday.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two 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/Tuesday, November 23, 2021
