Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 9) seized about 300 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $800,000 and a duty potential of about $600,000 at Man Kam To Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes in 16 carton boxes mix-loaded with other goods on board the truck.
The 62-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck was detained. 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, January 10, 2019
